A Cappella Academy & Benjamin Yeo

Hey Guys! Welcome to my GoGetFunding page! My name is Benjamin Yeo and I am from Singapore! About myself, I am currently going into my 2nd year pursuing a Diploma in Music and Audio Technology in Singapore Polytechnic. Growing up, I always had the passion and love for music; I started learning the piano at the age of 5, when I was in primary school, I played the violin in my school’s symphonic band and served as Vice-President for about a year. When I was in secondary school, I joined my school’s symphonic band as a Percussionist and held various leadership roles such as Section Leader and Foot Drill Officer. I got the amazing opportunity to audition and then accepted into Singapore's MTDC for Symphonic Band (Music Talent Development Centre/Programme) where the best musicians for Secondary Schools in Singapore come together to play in a band. I learnt so so much from there. Soon after, I began to do various gigs and performances with this amazing Cajon company called "BEAT'ABOX". From going on national television during Singapore's National Day on Channel 8's "Zao An Ni Hao" (Good Morning Singapore) to appearing on newspapers to D&Ds to Weddings to Singapore's Largest Cajon Festival and entering into the Singapore Book of Records to ... ah you get the point HAHAHA. I then found out about A Cappella through YouTube, this quintet also known as Pentatonix really really blew me away. I knew I wanted to do something like that and I went to look for a group in Singapore. I joined The A Cappella Society Youth Voices in 2012 as a bass vocalist doing a few gigs and performances with them. In 2013 we emerged 1st Runner Up in Singapore's A Cappella Championships. (I am no longer singing with them anymore). I decided that I wanted to do music for the rest of my life.
This is just a little about my musical journey, I am so thankful for all the love and support throughout.

As some of you may know, last year, I was accepted into A Cappella Academy. A Cappella Academy is a prestigious music summer camp created by Music Arranger Rob Dietz, Producer of Pentatonix Ben Bram, and Bass of Pentatonix Avi Kaplan. It was created for passionate singers aged 13-18 who come from all over the world to make a cappella music. This year, it will be held in Los Angeles, California at Mount St. Mary's University. Last year, I was one of the 67 campers to attend out of 523 auditionees , which was the top 13%. At camp last year, I was singing Bass in the group Blitz, which was the electropop group at camp. It was a LIFE CHANGING experience for me and I was really so blessed to have the opportunity to be part of it.

This year, I am proud to say that I am one of the 73 admitted campers out of 556 auditionees, the top 13% to be going for A Cappella Academy again.

Here's my group performing Lips are Movin' by Meghan Trainor:

(if the video isn't working for you) < it opens in a new tab

The total tuition fee for A Cappella Academy is $2000 USD (Close to about $2900 SGD) and I will also need the money to pay airfare and other travel expenses (my airfare was about $1500 SGD last year). It's a really big sum of money and I really hope that you can help! Anything you can give would mean the world to me and even if you're unable to donate, I would really appreciate it if you could give it a share!

I've joined an A Cappella CCA (Co-Curricular Activity) called Singapore Polytechnic Vocals last year and I was recently appointed President. This opportunity to go to A Cappella Academy will help me have a better understanding of A Cappella music to direct and bring my club to the next level. It will also grow me to be a better singer, arranger and musician. This experience in A Cappella Academy will also help me a lot in my diploma I am currently pursuing (Music and Audio Technology).

More than just singers around the world coming together to sing A Cappella, A Cappella Academy is family to me. To be singing with people with the same love, drive and passion like mine is out of this world. This is my last year being able to go to the Academy and I would really hope that you could help me on this musical journey of mine.

Thank you so much for you time!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBenjaminYeo
Twitter: @thebenjaminyeo
Instagram: @benjaminyeo
Email: [email protected]