Benson Lai graduated from the University of Alberta where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree majoring in biological sciences and minoring in physical sciences. He then graduated from The University of Alberta’s After Degree Nursing (BScN) program. He is currently a Registered Nurse (BScN, RN) with Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health and Quality Health Services. He is currently over two thirds complete his post graduate designation, Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) through MacEwan University and slated to graduate Fall 2015.
Regarding his music education, he currently is studying online with Berklee College of Music alumni piano professor Willie Myette (www.pianowithwillie.com) and Berklee College of Music alumni Don Ehret at MacEwan University for contemporary guitar. He also studied at MacEwan University under Edmonton Opera singer Lindsey Sikora for voice, and jazz piano under the former chair of the MacEwan jazz piano department, Charlie Austin; furthermore, he studied music technology and production under the late Juno award winning audio engineer, Colin Lay and Juno award nominated Nik Kozub.
A member of SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) & is part of The Audio Coalition which is an audio production company. His orchestral fusion compositions combine a variety of styles with electronic, world, jazz, soul, blues, funk, and rock elements heard in a variety of media projects such as music libraries, film festival sponsorship, independent videogames and films.
Benson is a professional pianist that has been featured on Global News @ 6, Metro News Edmonton and advertised in one of Alberta’s top wedding & lifestyle magazines, Blush Magazine. Benson has collaborated with top wedding planners and industry professionals in Edmonton from Priya Khan (Dress My Day), Rena LeMessurier (Rena Elise Weddings), and Sam Pham & Ken Dang (KS Weddings). He is also an active collaborator with the YEGWed community. Venues he has played at include The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, The University of Alberta Faculty Club, The Edmonton Petroleum Club , Delta Edmonton South Hotel, Hilton’s Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel, The Devonian Botanic Garden, the Edmonton Old Timers Cabin, Allegro Italian Kitchen, CKUA Radio Network Downtown, Lizard Creek Lodge in Fernie BC, and he is currently a resident piano player at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
He has also been featured in music videos by Emotion with their track “Show Me The Way” ft. Kenadii G. His instrumental piano album “Secret To Your Heart” coming out in the tentative future which will have a handful of original piano compositions along with covers of David Foster, Diane Warren, Brian Mcknight, John Legend, All 4 One, Savage Garden, Alan Menkin, Enrique Iglesias, and Yiruma. Benson played the keyboard and wrote original music in his former psychedelic electronic rock band “Attic Daze.”
Benson is also an active lecturer who supports music therapy to develop rapport with patients and assist in their recovery. He has lectured at Alberta Health Services community clinics, the United Nurses Association Local 183 Education Lunch Rounds, and was a guest lecturer at the 2014-2015 Psychiatry Grand Rounds presented by Covenant Health at the Grey Nuns Hospital.
He is currently a member of the Alberta Piano Teachers Association and teaches children at one of the largest independent music schools in Canada, Custom Music Lessons. He also has a teaching position with Key Mobile Music that offers lessons to adults. In the past he was a piano/music teacher for The Heart of the City Piano program & MusicBox Children’s Charity to provide music and piano lessons to less privileged children in the inner city; in addition, he was also part of the Heart of the City’s Performance Troupe raising money for their program. For inquiries and bookings please contact him at (780)-695-7549.
