Ho Yeow Sun

Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor
name = Ho Yeow Sun


caption =
chinesename = 何耀珊
tradchinesename =
simpchinesename =
pinyinchinesename = Hé Yàoshān
jyutpingchinesename =
birthname = Yeow-Sun Ho (何耀珊)
ancestry =
origin =
birthdate = June 2
birthplace = Singapore
deathdate =
deathplace =
restingplace =
restingplacecoordinates =
othername = Sun Ho, He Yao Sun
occupation = Singer
genre = Pop Music,Mandarin Pop
instrument =
voicetype =
label = Warner Music
yearsactive =
currentmembers =
pastmembers =
associatedact =
spouse =
partner =
children =
parents =
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influenced =
website = [http://www.heyaosun.com www.heyaosun.com] , [http://www.heyaosun.com www.sunmusic-us.com]
hongkongfilmwards =
goldenbauhiniaawards =
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Ho Yeow Sun, better known as Sun Ho, is a Singaporean pop music singer. Ho is married to Reverend Kong Hee and co-founded the City Harvest Church and its community services.Citation
last = Lam Leng Hung
first = John
author-link =
last2 = Chew
first2 = Eng An
author2-link =
title = A Pastor in a Broad Sense
newspaper = Streats
pages =
year = 2003
date = November 5, 2003
url = ] Sun started her Mandarin pop singing career in 2002 and subsequently worked with producers and performers such as Wyclef Jean, Diane Warren, The Underdogs, David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager.

Musical career

Ho was the Music Director and worked in City Harvest Church’s Creative Department. She resigned in 2003 to pursue her singing career. Personal communication from Rev. Derek Dunn, Pastor/Manager- HR, Office & Pastoral Administration Departments, City Harvest Church.] Ho had a rocky start to her pop artist career; She faced with accusations that her dressing was deemed to be inappropriate for her religious background [cite news| last = Seah | first = Lionel | title = Faith, hope and Sun | date = 8 November 2004 | publisher = The Straits Times | pages = ] , and rumors of her using her church's support to aid in album sales. [cite news| last = Wong | first = Kim Hoh | title = Church or Hollywood? | date = 16 November 2003 | publisher = The Straits Times | pages = ] cite web|title = SINGAPORE: Ho Yeow Sun can't seem to avoid making headlines, and not always in a good way.|publisher = Channel NewsAsia|url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/print/266824/1/.html|accessdate = 2007-06-22] To prevent further controversy, she decided to develop her career outside of Singapore, focusing on China, Taiwan and the US. [Citation | periodical= I-Weekly | title=何耀珊:话题女皇| issue=Mar| year=2008 | pages=32 ]

From 2002 to 2007, Ho released a succession of five Mandarin pop albums that have either reached double or triple platinum status.cite web|url= http://ent.ce.cn/main/yy/yyxw/200805/09/t20080509_15407662.shtml
title="何耀珊与奥莉维亚纽顿强合唱《Isn’t It Amazing》", CE.CN|accessdate=2008-05-29] [cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4563694-1.html|title="Making The Brand: Sun Rising", Publication:Billboard|accessdate=2008-05-29] During this five-year period, Ho worked with composers such as Ma Yufen (马毓芬) [cite web|url= http://ent.cnwest.com/content/2007-03/24/content_468311.htm|title="何耀珊《拥抱》荣获台湾7大主流排行榜冠军", CN West|accessdate=2008-05-29] , the late Ma Zhaojun (马兆骏) [cite web|url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/audio/2007-03/12/content_5834837.htm|title="马兆骏生前最后一首歌给何耀珊《拥抱》", 新华通讯社网络中心|accessdate=2008-05-29] , F.I.R. [cite web|url= http://ent.cn.yahoo.com/07-04-/322/293j1.html|title="FIR友情跨刀创作 制作又献唱何耀珊专辑新歌",Yahoo.com.cn|accessdate=2008-05-29] , Milk [cite web|url= http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2007/new/apr/2/today-show4.htm|title="牛奶尬舞 辣媽電臀狂搖",自由電子報|accessdate=2008-05-29] , Arys Chien (深白色) [cite web|url=http://news.2618.com/article/2003/2003-12-22/67031.html|title="一杯随你调释“鸳鸯”何耀珊的音乐",中国风网|accessdate=2008-05-29] , Lee Wei Song (李伟菘) [cite web|url= http://3cmusic.com/home/?p=310|title="依樣陽光的何耀珊《收穫》", 3C Music 中文唱片評論|accessdate=2008-05-29] and Tan Han Jin (陈奂仁) [cite web|url= http://mojim.com/cn21492.htm |title="何耀珊《SunDay》", mojim!China Limited|accessdate=2008-05-29] . “Lonely Travel” was ranked #1 on nine top music charts. Her next album “Gain” released in 2006 reached #1 position on 10 top music charts. In 2007, Ho released “Embrace” which hit #1 on 11 top music charts. [cite web|url=http://qkzz.net/magazine/1005-9601/2007/08/1578788.htm|title="何耀珊上海召开《拥抱》视听会 讲述新专辑背后的故事", qkzz.net|accessdate=2008-05-29] Her song, “"Starting Point"” was used as theme song for Singapore TV series “"Turning Point"” based on real-life inspirational stories, of which Ho was the host. [cite web|url=http://stars.zaobao.com/localstar/pages/heyaoshan091202.html|title="第3张专辑后 何耀珊要办巡回演唱会", Zaobao.com|accessdate=2008-05-29]

From 2003 to 2006, Ho’s first five English-language releases reached the top of the dance club charts of Billboard Magazine and London-based Music Week, making her the first Asian artist to score successive No. 1 dance hits.cite web|url=http://www.tigerinflight.com/features/2007/feb/cover_story.html
title="25 tastemakers in asia", Tiger Tales - Inflight Magazine of Tiger Airways|accessdate=2007-06-05]

In 2003, Ho broke into Hollywood with her debut American single “"Where Did Love Go",” produced by David Foster and Peter Rafelson. [cite web|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/h/2004-03-04/1524320958.html|title="何耀珊杭州《孤单旅行》 自曝曾患忧郁症想自杀", SINA|accessdate=2008-05-30] The song reached #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play “Breakout” Chart in December 2003. [cite web|url=http://ent.qq.com/a/20070420/000144.htm|title="何耀珊捐百万酬劳建孤儿院 最希望与郑秀文合作", QQ.com|accessdate=2008-05-30] Subsequently, three of her singles, “"One With You",” “"Without Love"” and “"Gone"” reached #1 positions on the Billboard Dance Chart. “"Ends Of The Earth"” also joined the abovementioned three singles to reach #1 positions on the UK MusicWeek Chart. [cite web|url=http://www.asianbite.com/default.asp?Display=397|title="Asian Pop Diva Sun Ho Set to Take America by Storm ", Asianbite|accessdate=2007-06-05] [cite web|url=http://triplej.destramusic.com/artist.asp?ArtistID=3314|title="ARTIST - SUN", triple j Digital Music Service|accessdate=2007-06-05] [cite web|url=http://www.cctv.com/worldcup/program/cultureexpress/20060908/101560.shtml|title="Singer Sun Ho Is Working with the Best", CCTV International|accessdate=2007-06-05] [cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/229006/1/.html|title="Singapore-born singer Sun Ho is working with the best", Channelnewsasia.com|accessdate=2007-06-05] cite web|url=http://wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/journalism/emunews/2004/archive2004/19_May_2004/oncampus.htm|title="Singapore's Singing Sensation A Role Model For Young People", eMU News Online|accessdate=2007-06-05] Since 2003, Ho has worked with a number of musicians such as Jimmy Harry, Diane Warren, Tony Moran, Chris Cox, Eric Kupper, Jason Nevins, Moto Blanco and the Underdogs. [cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/582793|title="Ends Of The Earth",Discogs|accessdate=2008-05-29] [cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Sun/Without+Love|title="Without Love",Last.fm the social music revolution|accessdate=2008-05-29]

Ho became the first Asian pop singer to be invited to the Hollywood Film Festival in 2003. The following year, Ho became the only Chinese singer to be invited to the 46th Annual Grammy Awards 2004 and to be an award presenter at the American Dancestar Music Awards 2004. In 2007, Ho attended the 2007 MTV Europe Awards, making her the first Asian pop singer to be invited to the awards ceremony.

In 2007, Ho collaborated with writer/producer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean on the track “"China Wine".” The music video was directed by Wayne Isham and featured Tony Matterhorn and Elephant Man alongside Wyclef and Sun. [cite web|url=http://www.musicremedy.com/s/Sun/album/The_Geisha-4116.html|title="Sun - The Geisha", musicremedy.com|accessdate=2008-05-30] Wyclef was also co-writer and executive producer of Ho’s English album, due for release in 2009. In 2008, Ho was featured in an opening spot on Wyclef’s American and Canadian concert tour, and invited to appear in his music video “"Fast Car",” featuring his duet with Paul Simon.cite web|url= http://enjoy.eastday.com/e/20080509/u1a3579104.html
title="何耀珊与奥莉维亚合作出新歌", Enjoy.eastday.com|accessdate=2008-05-29] She also performed “"China Wine"” with Wyclef at the SonyBMG Europe Music Awards After Party.

Songwriter Diane Warren also composed the song “"因為有你 (Because You Were There)"” for Sun’s “Embrace” album. [cite web|url=http://music.ent.tom.com/2007-03-09/000P/32888456.html|title="何耀珊新碟《拥抱》 用歌声回温社会清冷气氛 ",Tom.com|accessdate=2008-05-30] cite web|url= http://www.pr.com/article/1053
title="Sun Rising - Asia's Pop Music Princess, Sun Ho, Prepares to Conquer America", PR.com|accessdate=2008-05-29]

Ho recorded a song for Olivia Newton John’s benefit CD produced by Amy Sky, “Songs of Hope and Inspiration: Olivia and Friends”.cite web|url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/345101/1/.html
title="Olivia Newton-John and Sun Ho collaborate on new album", Channel NewsAsia |accessdate=2008-05-29]

For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ho worked together with music composer David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager to submit a song composition titled “"The Light".”cite web|url= http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,165942,00.html|title="Carrying a torch", The Electric New Paper, Singapore|accessdate=2008-05-29] [cite web|url= http://ent.people.com.cn/BIG5/1085/7169095.html|title="孫楠、何耀珊為奧運歌曲《The Light亮光》", www.people.com.cn, Singapore|accessdate=2008-05-29]

In May 2008, Ho was invited to perform ‘live’ at the Vienna City Hall where Europe's biggest AIDS-charity event—the 16th Life Ball was held. Ho was dressed by NYC designers The Blonds (who also dressed Fergie, Madonna, Shakira, etc).cite web|url= http://www.lifeball.org/lifeball/rte/upload/pdf/life_ball_press_kit_2008.pdf
title="Life Ball Press Kit 2008", Life Ball |accessdate=2008-05-29]

Humanitarian work

Ho holds an M.A. degree in Counseling and worked as a counselor for troubled teens from 1996 to 2001 at City Harvest Community Services [cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/NM-e/89926.htm
title="Back from the Brink ", china.org.cn|accessdate=2007-06-05] , a social organization which she has personally foundedcite web|url= http://dancemusic.about.com/od/artistshomepages/a/SunInterview_2.htm|title="Interview with Sun", About.com:Dance Music / Electronica |accessdate=2008-05-29] Having gone through a difficult childhood, Ho has stated that she was motivated to help others out of their similar struggles with depression. Since establishing her career as a pop artist in April 2002, she continues to be involved in raising funds for various charitable organisations. Her humanitarian team was involved in the Tsunami Disaster Relief Operations (2005), building of schools and medical clinics in Indonesia and China as well as orphanages in Sri Lanka. [Citation | first = Stella Thng | periodical= LIME Magazine | title=Wave of Sympathy | issue=Mar| year=2005 | pages=90 ] In 2002, the Junior Chamber of Singapore awarded Ho with “The Outstanding Young Person Award.” Subsequently, Ho represented Singapore in the global TOYP ceremony and was awarded the “Outstanding Young Person of the World Award” in 2003. [cite web|title=TOYP 2003|work=Junior Chamber International (JCI)|url=http://www.jci.cc/members/news.php?lang_id=1&info_id=2909&t=3011|accessdate=June 1|accessyear=2005]

Ho has donated money from her royalties to build schools in Chongqing, Guizhou and Henan (China). She also sponsored a computer lab for the school in Liaoning, China. Her most recent project took her to Henan Province where her donation of RMB350,000 (SGD70,000) paid for the rebuilding of a rundown school and its teaching facilities. [cite web|url=http://ent.163.com/07/1025/12/3RLADMVA00031H0O.html,|title="何耀珊捐35万办学 学校更名为'耀珊花朵小学'", 163.com|accessdate=2008-05-22]

In June 2007, Ho was appointed the Music Ambassador for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Songfest by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG). [cite web|url=http://www.77thstreet.com/ClickHeretoCheckoutOur77thStreetSitemap/Events/OlympicSongfest/tabid/187/Default.aspx|title="A Brief on the Olympic Songfest", 77th Street|accessdate=2008-05-22] [cite web|url=http://virtualreview.org/china/zoom/400834/sun-ho---beijing-olympics-music-ambassador,|title="Sun Ho - Beijing Olympics Music Ambassador", Virtualreview china: news and opinion|accessdate=2008-05-22]

In August 2007, Ho was named the Charity Ambassador of Love for Asia’s first Special Olympic World Summer Games. At the Special Olympics Charity Gala held on August 11, 2007, Ho auctioned off two personal items to raise RMB600,000 (SGD120,000) for the Special Olympic Games. Together with Sun Nan, she also performed the Special Olympic official theme song “We Are Together.” [cite web|url=http://ent.qq.com/a/20070815/000211.htm,|title="2007特奥会主题歌揭晓 何耀珊倾情演绎耀浦江", QQ.com|accessdate=2008-05-22]

In February 2008, Ho sang the inaugural Mandarin rendition of the 100-year old Olympic Hymn at the opening of the “Olympic Philately & Cultural Tour” launched by The Beijing Olympics. Held at the Royal Theatre within the Forbidden City, Ho was accompanied by a choir of overseas Chinese from 16 different nationalities. [cite web|url=http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-03/06/content_6514097.htm |title="Multinational choir sings Chinese Olympic Hymn", Chinadaily.com.cn|accessdate=2008-05-22]

2008 Sichuan earthquake

In May 2008, Ho gave 500 tents to aid as temporary shelter for displaced families of the earthquake in Sichuan, China. Along with her personal donation, Ho also gathered some friends to raise RMB650,000 (SGD129,000) to buy stationery and educational supplies for the children. [cite web|url=http://ent.shangdu.com/Contents/Channel_553/2008/0522/119003/content_119003.shtml |title="天后何耀珊捐款25万元 耀珊希望小学无恙", Shangdu.com|accessdate=2008-05-22] cite web|url=TODAY, Singapore |title="Another S’pore ‘Sun’ shines in aid", http://www.todayonline.com/articles/258988.asp?|accessdate=2008-06-12]

Ho performed on CCTV’s charity program as part of the “Rebuilding The Homeland With One Heart” project to help the quake victims. Other activities of the project include inviting Sichuan artists to Singapore to hold an art exhibition which will showcase the courage of the quake survivors, as well as setting up an education and music foundation for the orphans and other victims of the earthquake.

Her latest single, “Eternal Blossom” was broadcast over radio stations as a song of encouragement for all the earthquake victims. [cite web|url=The Electric New Paper, Singapore |title="BRIGHT SPOTS", http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,165248,00.html?|accessdate=2008-05-22] [cite web|url=http://ent.qq.com/a/20080526/000403.htm|title="改下歌词，有些情歌还是很有意义的", QQ.com|accessdate=2008-05-29]

Other Endeavours

In July 2005, Ho opened a streetwear boutique, SKIN Couture, at The Marina Square (Singapore), which carries apparels and accessories from American labels such as True Religion, Antik Denim, Bejeweled, etc. She opened her second store on October 2006 at The Heeren Shops (Singapore) carrying Japanese labels like Queen Of A Luxury Lover, Double Standard, Chelseagarb, etc. [cite web|url=http://www.skincouture.com.sg/ourlabels.htm|title="Skin Couture - Our Labels", Skin Couture|accessdate=2008-09-06] Ho and her SKIN partners acquired exclusive distribution for Ed Hardy in Singapore, and opened its first flagship store in Asia at The Heeren Shops (Singapore) on October 29, 2005.

Currently Ho resides in the USA, and travels often to Taiwan and China.

Awards

Live Concerts

*“Embrace 2007” Concert [cite web|url= http://ent.cn.yahoo.com/07-04-/322/293ja.html|title="何耀珊大碟叫好叫座 台北演唱会过千歌迷热捧", YAHOO|accessdate=2009-09-21] :From April to July 2007, Sun performed in 4 concerts throughout Asia to a total audience of more than 13,000. [cite web|url= http://www.13520.org/data/218.htm
title="何耀珊档案", www.13520.org|accessdate=2009-09-21]

*“Gain 2006” Concert [cite web|url= http://www.13520.org/data/218.htm
title="何耀珊档案", www.13520.org|accessdate=2009-09-21] :On July 16, 2006, Ho performed in a one-night concert held at the National Taipei University Stadium to an audience of close to 10,000 people.

*KTU “Beatstock” Concert [cite web|url= http://ent.sina.com.cn/y/o/2005-09-07/0022833150.html
title="何耀珊美国演唱掀高潮 新舞曲继续在美电台播放", SINA |accessdate=2009-09-21] :On August 21, 2005, Ho opened the second day of the Beatstock Dance Festival, organized by KTU, a top radio station in New York, with a listener-ship of over two million. Ho was the only Asian artist invited to perform at this event which saw over 16,000 people partied over a two-day period.

*“Lonely Travel 2003/2004” Concert [cite web|url= http://ent.sina.com.tw/music/news/content/1592
title="何耀珊「孤單旅行」「唱」行全球！", SINA |accessdate=2009-09-21] :From October 2003 to May 2004, Ho has performed in 80 concerts throughout Asia to a total audience of more than 280,000.cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/audio/2004-04/16/content_1424205.htm|title="何耀珊 演绎大事记", NEWS|accessdate=2008-09-25] cite web|url=http://music.sogua.com/singers/heyaoshan/index.htm|title="何耀珊介绍", music.sogua.com|accessdate=2008-09-25]

*“Sun With Love 2002” Concert [cite web|url= http://www.bigmgmt.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=109
title="SUN: BIG Management Consulting Client", BIG Management |accessdate=2009-09-21] :Ho performed 30 concerts in Asia from April 2002 to December 2002 to a total audience of 118,000. [cite web|url= http://www.aiting.com/MusicData/Song/9990.Html
title="何耀珊新专辑", 爱听音乐网|accessdate=2009-09-26] At the two-night “Sun With Love” concert in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, she sang to more than 21,000 fans.

Television performances and broadcasts

References

ee also

*List of number-one dance hits (United States)
*List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

External links

* [http://www.heyaosun.com/ He Yao Sun Webpage]
* [http://www.sunmusic-us.com/ Sun Ho Webpage]