CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Today’s world is incredibly multi-cultural and international, but it wasn’t always so. The “it’s a small world” feeling we now have begun to be pioneered decades ago by multi-hyphenates such as retired engineer and company president Dirk Lindenbeck.

“[Shen Yun] was great. It was something completely different,” said Lindenbeck, who most recently retired from running his own North Carolina-based manufacturing operation, Stainless Valve Company, which his son is now the president of.

“This show here is a mix of Chinese and Western music, which makes it very interactive, attractive for people who don’t know Chinese music but do know Western music. So it fits together and makes it easier to understand the Chinese music,” he said.

“For thousands of years,” according to Shen Yun’s website, “the pipa, or Chinese lute, has reigned as the ‘king’ of Chinese folk instruments. This plucked instrument is often found in the hands of heavenly maidens depicted in traditional paintings. The pipa’s construction further epitomizes ancient Chinese beliefs. Its body, by traditional Chinese measurement, is three feet five inches, representing the three powers—heaven, the earth, and man, and the five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.”

It isn’t only the instruments that make Shen Yun’s music so special. The way the instruments are integrated together is unique in the world.

“First, the Western orchestra serves as a foundation, accentuating the distinct sound of Chinese instruments. Second, the bedrock of soul-stirring melodies from the ancient Middle Kingdom is fully brought to life by a Western symphony,” their website continues.

“It is interesting to learn this way,” he said, “how China was developing, what the historical background is. And to understand why this type of music is developed over the centuries or thousands of years.”

A foundation of traditional Chinese culture is its spirituality. Since time immemorial, Chinese people have always believed in the divine and have passed down a legend that the Creator of the world will one day return for all mankind. Shen Yun continues this tradition by including depictions of the Creator in its stories, as well as themes of good versus evil, faith, and compassion.

Lindenbeck recognized that today’s China is ruled by an atheist regime that has tried to stamp out all forms of China’s spirituality during the decades its been in power. But Shen Yun doesn’t only portray sad scenes of persecution now going on in that country, it provides hope and an alternative that everyone can draw inspiration from.

Lindenbeck, who met his wife in Brazil and is originally from Germany, first heard about Shen Yun from relatives in Asia, where Shen Yun is an especially big hit.

“The parents-in-law of my eldest son did invite us [to Shen Yun] and they are from Korea. So, it’s really international.”

Audience members including government officials and well-known artists in countries such as Taiwan and South Korea report that everyone in their circles knows and loves Shen Yun. Performances there are regularly sold out weeks in advance.

The “small world” effect will continue on thanks to Lindenbeck, who said he and his wife will encourage his contacts to see Shen Yun wherever it performs around the globe. “We will definitely tell friends and family,” he said.