PHILADELPHIA—Seeing the Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia on April 26, was an overwhelming experience for Maria Aquilina.

“I’m overwhelmed with what they have done,” said Ms. Aquilina, a pianist, after watching the performance. 

“It’s just beautiful, it encompasses the Asian values of perfection, beauty and aesthetics,” she said.

Shen Yun was founded in 2006 in New York with the mission to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture. 

The company draws inspiration from China’s rich history in bringing the audience a consummate stage experience. Each year the company performs in about 20 countries and 100 cities around the world. 

Ms. Aquilina said that watching the performance showed her the “need for compassion.”

At the core of Shen Yun’s performances is classical Chinese dance. The performance is accompanied by Shen Yun’s orchestra, a philharmonic orchestra complemented by Chinese instruments. 

The orchestra is unique in the world in that it combines the musical systems of the West and East to create a new, harmonious sound.

Ms. Aquilina said she enjoyed the music. “I just think it’s wonderful,” she said.

Reporting by Valentin Schmid and Jasper Fakkert

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.