Benny Yau
| Benny Yau | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese name | 邱穟恆 | ||||
| Pinyin | Qiū Suìhéng (Mandarin) | ||||
| Jyutping | Jau1 Seoi6hang4 (Cantonese) | ||||
| Birth name | Benny Shui Hang Yau | ||||
| Ancestry | Chaozhou, China | ||||
| Origin | Vancouver, Canada | ||||
| Born | May 8, 1980 Hong Kong |
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| Occupation | television presenter, singer, actor | ||||
| Genre(s) | Pop, Classical | ||||
| Voice type(s) | Tenor | ||||
| Years active | 1999–present | ||||
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Awards
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Benny Yau (Traditional Chinese: 邱穟恆), born May 8, 1980 in Hong Kong; immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1988; is a Canadian television presenter, actor, and singer formerly affiliated with Fairchild TV.
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[edit] Career
Yau is a graduate of Eric Hamber Secondary School in 1998 with the distinction of Top Music Department Graduate. He later studied Classical Voice at Vancouver Community College under the instruction of Bruce Pullan.
Yau entered a DJ competition in May 1999 for a Vancouver Chinese radio station CHMB AM 1320 (華僑之聲) and placed fourth. He then entered the station in hopes of becoming a successful radio DJ. He was set to host a weekly late night music program in September, 1999. However, within weeks of those plans being made, they were put on hold by the station indefinitely. Discouraged, Yau ended his contract with AM 1320 in November of the same year. Since it states that he cannot be active in any rival stations for the six months after his contract ends, Yau fell off the radar until the next year.
Yau entered the New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition 2000 (新秀歌唱大賽溫哥華選拔賽2000), organized by the rival station of AM 1320, Fairchild Television.[1] Yau garnered first runner-up with the songs Palm (掌心) by No Name Brand (無印良品) and Con Te Partirò by Andrea Bocelli. He was later approached by Fairchild Television producers to host the infotainment program, "What's On (熒幕八爪娛)".
As newcomers come onto the scene via the New Talent Singing Awards each year, Yau has made the transition from singer to Master of Ceremonies at many of Fairchild Television's live events. Although he still sings on occasion, viewers now recognize Benny more as a television presenter than being a singer. In 2007, Yau was part of the judging panel at the auditions and semi-finals of the New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition, coming full circle from contestant to judge of the same contest.
On December 30, 2009, Yau announced on his Twitter account that he is no longer affiliated with the television station anymore. [2] Since then, Yau can be seen hosting live events for charities such as Canadian Cancer Society. He was recently invited to co-host The Price Is Right Live! with Joey Fatone at River Rock Casino Resort.[3]
[edit] Selected works
[edit] Television
- BC Children's Hospital Miracle Weekend Telethon - Master of Ceremonies (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- Mr. Sing Searches For Stars (Sing仔尋星) - Sing仔 (2006)
- New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition - Semi-Finals Master of Ceremonies (2005, 2006)
- Angling Unlimited (漁樂無窮) - Host (2001)
- What's On - Host (2000 - 2002)
[edit] Live events
- The Price Is Right Live! - Co-Host (2011)
- Canadian Cancer Society Galaxy of Hope Fundraising Gala - Master of Ceremonies (2005, 2010)
- Hong Kong TVB Fans Party - Vancouver Stop - Master of Ceremonies (2008)
- New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition - Semi-Finals Judge (2007, 2008)
- Miss Chinese (Vancouver) Pageant - Guest performer (2002, 2007)
[edit] References
- ^ New Talent Visited (Part I: Auditions) - The Doughboy Speaks: The Blog of Benny Yau Blog entry. Retrieved on May 13, 2011
- ^ Twitter statement from bennyyau66's Twitter account. Retrieved on December 20, 2009
- ^ Twitter statement from bennyyau66's Twitter account. Retrieved on May 13, 2011
