ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Annick O’Meara, a novelist and language teacher, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Wednesday night performance at Popejoy Hall, March 26.

“I think it’s very, very beautiful,” said Ms. O’Meara. “I felt very connected.”

Established in 2006, New York-based Shen Yun is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to life through the performing arts. Having reached millions of people across some 20 countries and over 100 cities, Shen Yun is now widely regarded as a global phenomenon.

Ms. O’Meara seemed to enjoy many aspects of the show, especially the dancing.

“I think it’s absolutely beautifully produced,” she said. “The dances are exquisite, and so disciplined, and so perfect, so incredibly perfect.”

According to the Shen Yun website, “A Shen Yun performance features the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops—together creating one spectacular performance.”

Another highlight of the show for Ms. O’Meara was the variety of outfits worn by the performers.

“The costumes—the colors of the costumes—are absolutely beautiful,” said Ms. O’Meara. “It’s delightful.”

As the website states, “Shen Yun’s costume artists collect countless designs of traditional attire, ranging from those of emperors, ministers, and generals to the everyday clothing of the common people. They use bright colors to tailor and recreate hundreds of new pieces each season. Every detail is given meticulous attention and is a result of artistic inspiration and careful polishing.”

For Ms. O’Meara, it was “very interesting” to have experienced a culture far different from her own, and yet still be able to find something so familiar within it.

“It’s a very different culture from ours, but the basic humanity comes through in a very wonderful way,” Ms. O’Meara explained. “I can certainly identify with the emotions being expressed … I think in Western culture we tend to express things more individually, this is more of a collective, but the basic emotion, the basic human feeling is the same.”

Reporting by Kerry Huang and Morgan Bradley

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.