SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Professor of Language and Culture Says He Was ‘Very Impressed’ With Shen Yun

Apr 17, 2025

4/17/2025Updated: 4/17/2025

HAMILTON, Ont.—John McTavish, a professor a language and culture, said he was very impressed with the performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at FirstOntario Concert Hall on April 16.

“I love Chinese culture and I love Asian culture. [I am] very impressed with the performance here this evening. I can’t believe the beauty of the costumes, the color, the emotion that the dance evokes,” Mr. McTavish said.

Every member of Shen Yun has a love for what they do. And that love is exactly what Mr. McTavish said he appreciated.

“I could feel the energy vibrating. The synergy and the energy of high-level art, and the love that the performers were putting into their performance. You could feel that love and love is a very powerful, powerful energy that really made me feel happy,” Mr. McTavish said.

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“I thought it was fantastic, and the devotion that the dancers were showing, it almost made it feel like it was a real spiritual scene,” he said.

Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. I was just amazed at how the dancers jump at the end of the stage, and then they’re flying on the screen and coming back on the stage. Combining ancient culture and dance with that modern technology is just amazing,” Mr. McTavish said.

Shen Yun’s live orchestra is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“I played the piano. I used to sing as well. And so I appreciate the skill of the orchestra. I didn’t hear one wrong note the whole night,” Mr. McTavish said.

One instrument that left a particularly deep impression on Mr. McTavish was the two-stringed erhu.

“The woman who was playing the two-string instrument just made me vibrate inside. It was so powerful and beautiful,” he said.

Shen Yun’s singers are trained in bel canto technique and the digital backdrop provides a translation of the Chinese text being sung.

“Her hand gestures, her tone of voice—it was a perfect performance. I couldn’t find one single note that was off. I wasn’t paying that much attention to the lyrics. It was more the emotion. You’re transported to another level. It’s almost a spiritual feeling with the music that uplifts your soul,” Mr. McTavish said.

He added that listening to the soprano moved him immensely.

“The soprano who sang her song, she was such a good singer. It almost made me cry because the emotion was so strong. She was perfect,” he said.

Reporting by NTD and Maria Han.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.