HOUSTON—Finance consultant Rebecca Stewart was touched by the humility and dedication displayed by Shen Yun artists on Dec. 30 at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, and thought the show was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“You can see all the hard work that was displayed, the time, the practice, the patience,” she said, “[the performers] were able to humble themselves for something bigger than themselves.”

“They were able to submit themselves to a mission for something greater than themselves—which is honoring God,” Ms. Stewart said.

“[I would say] teach me. Teach me the humility, and the sacrifices, and share with me your journey of what bought you to where you are today.”

Also in the audience on Dec. 30 were finance manager Rie Finney and her husband Les Finney, who had purchased the Shen Yun tickets as a Christmas present for his wife.

“It’s been on my bucket list for years,” Ms. Finney said, “It’s fantastic. The dancers are beautiful, and they have such grace. I just want to watch it again and again.”

According to its website, the orchestra is the first in the world to permanently combine classical Western and Eastern instruments, and each year the musicians present a whole new set of original compositions.

“It’s very creative. I loved it. I just enjoyed the whole thing from beginning to end,” Ms. Finney said.