SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—“It was an outstanding show. I can only use superlatives, highest compliments. It was wonderful, a very good evening,” said Professor Jonathan Hess. He and his wife, Loretta, enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts, and had scores of good things to say about the classical music and dance performance they saw on April 8.

“It was just more than I could have imagined,” Mrs. Hess said. “It was beautiful. Really, really enjoyed it.”

“One of the best shows I’ve seen,” Professor Hess said.

The couple had just seen New York-based Shen Yun at the Sangamon Auditorium on University of Illinois campus, where Jonathan Hess, Ph.D. is an emeritus professor. He had taught psychology before retirement.

He also plays violin, piano, guitar and sings. Mrs. Hess teaches arts and crafts in an after school center.

Through the medium of classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun tells stories of ancient Chinese legends, myths, and literary classics.

Mrs. Hess had no idea that Chinese culture was so rich in stories. “It was just like looking in on a new world,” she said.

She likes stories, she explained, because she is a storyteller. “I teach children and I like to incorporate different cultures,” she said. Shen Yun “will help me with my job.”

But the performance had a deeper impact. “It was transforming,” she said. “It took me out of myself for the evening. It was a really beautiful place to be.”

She said she had brought her husband along with her and so was really pleased that he enjoyed it. In fact, she said, “He said this would help us live longer.”

Professor Hess may have a point. Many viewers state that Shen Yun’s performance is so relaxing that they feel refreshed afterwards, almost as though they have meditated.

“It was really impressive,” Professor Hess said.

“It was very impressive,” Mrs. Hess echoed him.

“It was wonderful, superlative,” Professor Hess said.

Reporting by Hu Chen and Sharon Kilarski

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.