Ho Yeow Sun
Encyclopedia
Ho Yeow Sun, better known as Sun Ho, is a Singaporean pop music
singer. She studied at Anglican High School
and Victoria Junior College
. Ho is one of the co-founders of City Harvest Church
and its community services and is married to Kong Hee
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.
’s Creative Department from 1993 till 2003 when she resigned to pursue her singing career. Ho had a rocky start to her pop artist career. She faced accusations that her dressing was deemed to be inappropriate for her religious background, and rumors of her using her church's support to aid in album sales. After a series of successful concerts, she had the opportunity to further develop her career outside of Singapore, focusing on China, Taiwan and the US. In 2010, Sun Ho was questioned by the Singapore Police when City Harvest Church came under investigation for alleged misuse of funds.
From 2002 to 2007, Ho released a succession of five Mandarin pop albums that have either reached double or triple platinum status. During this five-year period, Ho worked with composers such as Ma Yufen (马毓芬), the late Ma Zhaojun (马兆骏) F.I.R.
, Milk, Arys Chien (深白色), Lee Wei Song (李伟菘), and Tan Han Jin (陈奂仁). “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. 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.
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.
In 2003, Ho broke into Hollywood with her debut American single “Where Did Love Go,” produced by David Foster and Peter Rafelson. The song reached #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play “Breakout” Chart in December 2003. 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. 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.
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. Sun also was invited to attend the Grammys in year 2007 and 2010.
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. 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. 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.
Ho recorded a song for Olivia Newton John’s benefit CD produced by Amy Sky, “Songs of Hope and Inspiration: Olivia and Friends”
For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ho worked together with music composer David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager to submit a song composition titled “The Light.”
Ho released her US single “Fancy Free” on 14 September 2009 and the director for the music video was Joseph Kahn. Her English album “Cause A Ruckus” is due for release in late 2009.
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.
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
. In 2007, she visited Henan Province where her donation of RMB350,000 (SGD70,000) paid for the rebuilding of a rundown school and its teaching facilities. Sun has 6 schools and 1 orphanage in China.
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.
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.”
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.
, 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.
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.
, 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. 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
.
of the Singapore Police began to call up more than 18 individuals linked to the City Harvest Church, including church founder Pastor Kong Hee and his wife, Sun Ho, to assist in investigations, after receiving complaints alleging the misuse of church funds. The police was looking into financial transactions involving the possible falsification of accounts and criminal breach of trust amounting to millions of dollars which dated back a number of years. The authorities said that regular church activities and services for the congregation need not be disrupted during ongoing investigations, which is expected to take several months.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer. She studied at Anglican High School
Anglican High School
Anglican High School is an autonomous, Special Assistance Plan and Government-aided co-educational secondary school in Tanah Merah, Singapore.- History :...
and Victoria Junior College
Victoria Junior College
Victoria Junior College is a Pre-University co-educational institution in Singapore. It was established to replace the Pre-University classes of Victoria School in 1984. It stands on Marine Vista, about 5-minute walk to the East Coast Park. It in the East Region of Singapore...
. Ho is one of the co-founders of City Harvest Church
City Harvest Church
City Harvest Church or CHC is a non-denominational megachurch in Singapore with an average of 23,256 attendees in the month of December 2010....
and its community services and is married to Kong Hee
Kong Hee
Kong Hee is the founder, honorary and volunteer senior pastor of City Harvest Church in Singapore. Kong is a Christian in the Charismatic Movement, with a philosophy of ministry that emphasizes the Great Commandment, Great Commission, and Cultural Mandate. City Harvest Church has an average of...
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
Sun Ho led City Harvest ChurchCity Harvest Church
City Harvest Church or CHC is a non-denominational megachurch in Singapore with an average of 23,256 attendees in the month of December 2010....
’s Creative Department from 1993 till 2003 when she resigned to pursue her singing career. Ho had a rocky start to her pop artist career. She faced accusations that her dressing was deemed to be inappropriate for her religious background, and rumors of her using her church's support to aid in album sales. After a series of successful concerts, she had the opportunity to further develop her career outside of Singapore, focusing on China, Taiwan and the US. In 2010, Sun Ho was questioned by the Singapore Police when City Harvest Church came under investigation for alleged misuse of funds.
From 2002 to 2007, Ho released a succession of five Mandarin pop albums that have either reached double or triple platinum status. During this five-year period, Ho worked with composers such as Ma Yufen (马毓芬), the late Ma Zhaojun (马兆骏) F.I.R.
F.I.R.
F.I.R. is a Taiwanese Mandopop pop rock band. The band currently consists of Faye Chan , Ian Chen and Real Huang . Producer Ian Chen formed his own band and recruited the other two members to form F.I.R. They are well known throughout Asia with their hit "Lydia", which was the theme song for the...
, Milk, Arys Chien (深白色), Lee Wei Song (李伟菘), and Tan Han Jin (陈奂仁). “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. 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.
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.
In 2003, Ho broke into Hollywood with her debut American single “Where Did Love Go,” produced by David Foster and Peter Rafelson. The song reached #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play “Breakout” Chart in December 2003. 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. 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.
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. Sun also was invited to attend the Grammys in year 2007 and 2010.
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. 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. 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.
Ho recorded a song for Olivia Newton John’s benefit CD produced by Amy Sky, “Songs of Hope and Inspiration: Olivia and Friends”
For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ho worked together with music composer David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager to submit a song composition titled “The Light.”
Ho released her US single “Fancy Free” on 14 September 2009 and the director for the music video was Joseph Kahn. Her English album “Cause A Ruckus” is due for release in late 2009.
Humanitarian work
Ho worked as a counselor for troubled teens from 1996 to 2001 at City Harvest Community Services Association, a social organization which she has personally founded Having gone through a difficult childhood herself, Ho 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 fundraising for various charitable organizations. 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.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.
Ho has donated money from her royalties to build schools in Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
, Guizhou
Guizhou
' is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. Its provincial capital city is Guiyang.- History :...
and Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
(China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
). She also sponsored a computer lab for the school in Liaoning
Liaoning
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the northeast of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "辽" , a name taken from the Liao River that flows through the province. "Níng" means "peace"...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In 2007, she visited Henan Province where her donation of RMB350,000 (SGD70,000) paid for the rebuilding of a rundown school and its teaching facilities. Sun has 6 schools and 1 orphanage in China.
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.
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
Sun Nan
Sun Nan born February 18, 1969) is a famous pop singer from mainland China. He is a native of Dalian.He is one of the most popular artists from mainland China.-Career:In the 1990s he was considered a frontline singer in the Beijing music scene...
, she also performed the Special Olympic official theme song “We Are Together.”
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.
2008 Sichuan earthquake
In May 2008, Ho gave 500 tents to aid as temporary shelter for displaced families of the earthquake in SichuanSichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. 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.
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.
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 ReligionTrue Religion
True Religion Brand Jeans is an American premium clothing line, established in December of 2002 by Jeffrey Lubell and co-founder Kym Gold.In the winter of 2002, True Religion debuted its denim products from its Los Angeles base...
, 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. 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
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Fund Probe
On 31 May 2010, the Office of the Commissioner of Charities and the Commercial Affairs DepartmentCommercial Affairs Department
The Commercial Affairs Department is a staff department of the Singapore Police Force and is previously known as the Commercial Crime Department....
of the Singapore Police began to call up more than 18 individuals linked to the City Harvest Church, including church founder Pastor Kong Hee and his wife, Sun Ho, to assist in investigations, after receiving complaints alleging the misuse of church funds. The police was looking into financial transactions involving the possible falsification of accounts and criminal breach of trust amounting to millions of dollars which dated back a number of years. The authorities said that regular church activities and services for the congregation need not be disrupted during ongoing investigations, which is expected to take several months.
Live Concerts
- “Embrace 2007” Concert
- From April to July 2007, Sun performed in 4 concerts throughout Asia to a total audience of more than 13,000.
- “Gain 2006” Concert
- 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
- On August 21, 2005, Ho opened the second day of the Beatstock Dance Festival, organized by KTU, a 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 party over a two-day period.
- “Lonely Travel 2003/2004” Concert
- From October 2003 to May 2004, Ho has performed in 80 concerts throughout Asia to a total audience of more than 280,000.
- “Sun With Love 2002” Concert
- Ho performed 30 concerts in Asia from April 2002 to December 2002 to a total audience of 118,000. 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
This is a summary of Television performances and broadcasts made by Ho Yeow Sun.- HONG KONG (August 4, 2007)
- Ho's performance at the Hong Kong Metro Music Awards was broadcast on TVB Jade Station.
- HONG KONG (July 1, 2007)
- Ho performed "live" at Hong Kong Chinese Pop Music Media Awards 2007 and broadcast nationwide.
- SINGAPORE (September 12, 2004)
- Ho performed “live” at the President's Star Charity that was broadcast nationwide.
- SINGAPORE (May 1, 2004)
- Ho's three-hour “Lonely Travel Concert 2004” was nationally broadcast as part of Channel U's May Day Celebration.
- SINGAPORE (April 11, 2004)
- Ho performed “live” at the National Kidney Foundation charity show that was broadcast nationwide.
- SHANGHAI, CHINA (March 27, 2004)
- Ho performed “live” at the Shanghai International Fashion Show that was broadcast nationwide.
- SHANGHAI, CHINA (March 10, 2004)
- Ho's three-hour “Lonely Travel Concert 2004” was broadcast on Shanghai Eastern TV.
- HUBEI, CHINA (March 2, 2004)
- Ho performed in a three-hour solo TV show on HTV.
- BEIJING, CHINA (February 27, 2004)
- Ho's made-for-TV special was broadcast nationwide on China's CCTV, the largest TV network in Asia.
- JAKARTA, INDONESIA (December 26, 2003)
- Ho's one-hour performance at the Jakarta Tennis Stadium was broadcast on Metro TV nationwide.
- GENTING HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA (November 15, 2003)
- Ho's performance at the Malaysia Hit Award was broadcast nationwide on NTV 7.
- TAIPEI, TAIWAN (October 24, 2003)
- Ho's one-hour “Sun With Love II Concert” was broadcast nationwide and internationally on Dong Feng TV.
- SINGAPORE (September 6, 2003)
- Ho's performance at the Singapore Hit Awards was broadcast on MediaCorp Channel 8.
- HONG KONG (August 3, 2003)
- Ho's performance at the Hong Kong Metro Music Awards was broadcast on TVB Jade Station.
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart