NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—“It’s a privilege to have witnessed this performance,” said Dr. Robert Weber, who specializes in cardiology, after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts on Wednesday evening, April 20 at the Valley Performing Arts Center.

“I was very moved,” he said. “I think it was very spiritual and artistically amazing.”

Shen Yun is a non-profit company dedicated to reviving the authentic, 5,000-year culture of China, once believed to be a gift from the heavens.

Each performance includes a variety of individual classical Chinese dance vignettes that explore the stories, legends, dynasties, and ethnic groups of China’s history. Shen Yun’s orchestra combines both Western and Eastern sounds in performing original compositions to accompany the dances. Stunning projected backdrops and colorful costumes complete the experience.

“It was thoroughly enjoyable,” said Dr. Weber.

The doctor loved the beauty and grace of Shen Yun’s dancers, and was impressed by the acrobatic-like flips, spins, and jumps that are inherently part of classical Chinese dance.

“The music and the visuals match the dancing perfectly,” he said. “The choreography was incredibly impressive.”

Dr. Weber has been interested in China for many years, and even took a course in China’s international issues in 1970 as an undergraduate student at UCLA. After learning more, he became very unhappy with the actions of the Chinese Communist Party.

He said it would be wonderful “if the Chinese people are allowed to rediscover and express their spiritual side,” after decades of repression and violence against many spiritual and religious groups.

Shen Yun’s performers themselves find inspiration and motivation for artistic excellence through spiritual cultivation, which shows through every dance movement or musical note throughout their performance.

“It’s a very spiritual movement, and I totally endorse it,” said Dr. Weber. “I’ve been a meditator for many years so I very much appreciate what meditating does to an individual.”

Dr. Weber recommended and suggested that everyone come and experience Shen Yun.

“I’m very happy that I followed my curiosity and I invested my time to come and learn and totally enjoy this performance,” he said. “I plan to be a fan for many years to come.”

Shen Yun is ‘Absolutely beautiful’

Yuri Kot, a contractor and engineer, also had a wonderful and inspirational evening at Shen Yun Performing Arts on Wednesday.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” he said. “The synchronized movements, the actual technique, and also the costumes are lovely.”

Classical Chinese dance requires dancers to not only perfect various movements and postures, but also show specific inner feelings through their facial expressions and overall motions. The ancient art form allows performers to portray any character, feeling, or time period with absolute clarity.

“The expressions, they really lift the dance,” said Mr. Kot. “The dancers and obviously the choreographers … They believe in getting their message across, the stories, and the music, and the motions and everything else.”

As an example, Mr. Kot mentioned a dance piece called “The Steadfast Heart,” in which an older man is arrested for holding up a banner that says “Falun Dafa is Good.” He endures brutal treatment, even torture in jail, and is eventually released, but his spirit is broken and he seems to not even recognize his own beloved wife. However, a miracle revives him.

Mr. Kot said he could see in these characters’ faces and dance movements exactly what they were feeling and experiencing.

“That was very, very impressive. Because it wasn’t just dancing, it was very good acting,” he said. “You can actually observe the entire spectrum of feeling, not just the dance, but the actual turmoil that they were going through inside.”

Mr. Kot said the dancers’ motions and synchronization were very fluid and smooth, and they also seemed to really enjoy what they were doing. He praised the choreographers as well and said they did a wonderful job.

“It’s lovely,” he said. “Lovely performance.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Sarah Le

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.

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.