“We’ve never seen anything quite like this,” said Mrs. Kasper, “I’m so glad that it came to Raleigh so we could participate … it’s breathtaking, it’s beautiful and graceful!”

“It’s whimsical and elegant, much different than a Russian ballet or something else you see [in the West] … it’s wonderful!”

With its flips and gentle elegance, classical Chinese dance is one of the most athletic and expressive art forms in the world. Based out of New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with folk and ethnic dance, Shen Yun presents story-based dances that depict the history and traditional culture of China from ancient times to the modern day.

“It gives it another dimension that was completely unexpected, and delightful,” she said, “they disappeared at the step and they show up on the screen!”

“It was very impactful,” she said, “I teared up a couple of times … you just really see the emotions.”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a persecution against the practice in 1999, and adherents have since been subjected to unprecedented imprisonment, torture, and abuse.

“Pick any other type of society that has a culture that is that strong for so many centuries,” said Mrs. Kasper, “it needs to stay alive and it needs to be continued!”

Mr. Kasper was also very impressed with Shen Yun Performing Arts and expressed his gratitude for the company visiting his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.

“These are world-class dancers,” he said. “This is absolutely amazing!”

“Thank you for bringing this to Raleigh so we can see it, we’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

Mrs. Kasper agreed and said, “Everyone must go to this performance.”