TORONTO—Christine Cardoso, a dance instructor who runs her own studio, says she appreciates all of the hard work that goes into a Shen Yun Performing Arts performance.

“I think it’s great. It takes a lot of work to get all that precise movement,” said Ms. Cardoso, who has 200 students at her studio, after seeing Shen Yun at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto on April 9.

“There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. ... A lot of work. It’s not easy to handle. It’s not easy at all,” she added.

“Everything, all of it, I love it all,” and “we’re learning about the Chinese culture ... as well,” she said.

Ms. Cardoso said Shen Yun is “amazing,” and she would recommend it to her students and colleagues. “I would tell them to come see it,” she said.

“We love the culture. ... It’s a very good insight into the Chinese culture,” Mr. Sheppard said. “Lovely, very colorful, very moving, very dramatic, and good stories.”

He noted that the animated backdrop “took us by surprise ... when you see how they’ve used the screen to bring characters into the show and then they go off the back of the stage into the screen.”

“It’s amazing. I’ve never seen that before. Incredible,” said Mr. Sheppard.

Naomi Sheppard, an operation manager at a law firm, was equally impressed.

“The quality of the coordination between all of the dancers and the music helps with the storytelling. The musicians, they’re doing a great job too,” she added.

“Different music can relax you. Different music energizes you. Depending on the music, depending on your mood, it can really be uplifting, soothing, or relaxing,” Ms. Sheppard said.

“I feel it with the color, the moves and the dance, and the music as well. ... I feel like I’m in the show,” said Mr. Santiago.

“I feel like I’m very comfortable, ... very relaxed and very deep inside. ... The sensation is so amazing for us, and different,” he said.

“The colors, the music, and the [costumes] are spectacular.”

“We really appreciate the culture. ... We’ve learned a lot tonight,” he said. “Very, very amazing.”