She described what she liked about Shen Yun. “It’s the amazing colors, the water sleeves, the snow sleeves, it’s just unbelievable,” she said. “The dance, the coordination, the acrobatics. It’s amazing to me, [to] see these young people being able to do such beautiful things. And the music is lovely. The singing, the music, the playing, absolutely beautiful.”

One story moved her. “I was touched by the protest part, where they came together; it really touched my heart. So, to see what the Chinese people have gone through in this communism is very hurtful. Hurtful is the best way to describe it,” Ms. Roberts said.

She noted that Shen Yun is banned in China: “So isn’t it wonderful that here in Canada, where we enjoy our freedoms, we’re able to share with the Chinese community this beautiful orchestra. It’s absolutely amazing.”

Shen Yun means “the beauty of divine beings dancing” and Ms. Roberts agreed. “Exactly right. It’s absolutely true to its word. I couldn’t [have] experienced a much nicer event. Beautiful.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists and quickly became the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture.

“We all come from different cultures. I come from an Italian culture and we all respect our culture. I think the cultures are important. It’s important to teach our children, our grandchildren, of what our grandparents went thru, I think that’s the beauty of it. Let’s not give up those cultures, let’s continue to teach our children about the cultures of the past,” Ms. Roberts said.

Shen Yun’s soprano vocalist impressed Ms. Roberts, singing with traditional techniques. “That was beautiful. It was just stunning. It was opera. It was amazing to hear her, the way she hit those high notes. Just unbelievable.”

Ms. Roberts noted the lyrics of “belief of freedom, peace, and joy” were wonderful in the singing.

She said she would heartily recommend people to come.

“If they haven’t seen the show, they must come out and see it. It’s absolutely spectacular, it’s a day and afternoon well spent. You get to see all kinds of musical entertainment, acrobats, and the story of freedom and what the Chinese people had to go through. Come out and see it!”

Reporting by NTD