Benny Yau competing in New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition 2000

Benny Yau (Chinese name: 邱穟恆 (Cantonese:Yau Shui Hang); born May 8, 1980 in Hong Kong); immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1988; a Canadian actor affiliated with Fairchild TV. May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Vancouver (pronounced ) is a Canadian city in the province of British Columbia. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fairchild TV is a Cantonese cable television network in Canada. ...

Biography

Musical Background

Benny 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. Eric Hamber Secondary School is a large public secondary school located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

Almost a DJ

Benny entered a DJ competition in May of 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, Benny 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, Benny fell off the radar until the next year.

New Talent Singing Awards

Determined for a comeback, Benny 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. He beat over 300 contestants to be in the finals, which was held on July 8, 2000 at the Plaza of Nations. Benny sang the songs "Palm (掌心)" by No Name Brand (無印良品) and "Con Te Partirò" by Andrea Bocelli. With his amazing vocal abilities and a surprisingly entertaining dance routine during the Top 3 Round of the competition, Benny won the title of First Runner-Up. Fairchild TV is a Cantonese cable television network in Canada. ... Andrea Bocelli (born September 22, 1958 in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy) is a singer, writer and music producer. ...

Television Start

Less than a month after his appearance on New Talent, Fairchild Television producers invited him to host their longest running program, "What's On (熒幕八爪娛)". He hosted the show from August, 2000 to April, 2001 and later from September, 2001 until October, 2002. Fairchild TV is a Cantonese cable television network in Canada. ...

Fishing Expedition

In April of 2001, Fairchild TV sent Benny and fellow "What's On" co-host Leslie Tsang to host a new 8-episode program teaching the joys of fishing on the west coast. The program was titled "Angling Unlimited (漁樂無窮)". The filming took place on-location at Pender Harbour, British Columbia. It aired on Fairchild TV from July, 2001 to August, 2001 and became one of the most successful Fairchild programs garnering rave reviews and high ratings.

Career Change

In the summer of 2002, Benny was hired by Starbucks Coffee in Vancouver eventually began working for the company full-time ( he is currently a Store Manager for the company ). As Benny wanted to focus more on his new-found career, and since there was a surplus of hosts for "What's On" with the addition of new co-hosts, Benny signed-off from "What's On" after a two-year plus run in October, 2002 but remained a contract artist. At the time, there were numerous speculations regarding Benny leaving the show including a false one that he was fired from the station as he dropped off the radar once again until July, 2003. For other meanings of the name Starbuck, see Starbuck A Starbucks coffee shop in Leeds, England Starbucks ( NASDAQ: SBUX) is a large multinational chain of coffee shops, often serving desserts, with a reputation in the US as a center for socializing, particularly among students and young urban professionals. ...

Stage Comeback

Benny was invited as a special guest in New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition 2003 in a round which paired off current contestants with former winners. He was paired with Bella Chen ( who became the second runner-up ) and sang the song "Wish (許願)". When Benny appeared on stage after a 10-month hiatus on-screen, audience members at The Centre For The Performing Arts greeted him with a roaring welcome that completely overpowered the fans cheering for Bella.

MC of Tomorrow

Lately, Benny can be seen hosting various events for Fairchild TV. Notable ones include:-

• New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition Semi-Finals 2005 & 2006
• 2004 BC Children's Hospital Miracle Weekend Telethon
• TVB Super Star Show 2005

Mr. Sing

Benny's latest hosting job for Fairchild TV is the role of Mr. Sing (Sing仔) in "Mr. Sing Searches For Stars (Sing仔尋星)", the weekly update for New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition 2006 for viewers. This mini-show airs during his old show "What's On" every Sunday from June to July 2006.

Selected TV Filmography

• Mr. Sing Searches For Stars Sing仔尋星 - Sing仔 ( 2006 )
• Angling Unlimited 漁樂無窮 - Host ( 2001 )
• What's On 熒幕八爪娛 - Host ( 2000 - 2002 )

External Links

• Benny Yau at the Internet Movie Database
• Benny Yau Official Artist Profile For Fairchild TV ( In Chinese )
• Benny Yau Online