HOUSTON—Artist Frank Stanford enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts so much last season he decided to start off his year with Shen Yun’s last performance in Houston at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Jan. 1.

“It starts my new year with wonderful dance, music, and entertainment from another land and I enjoyed everything about that,” Mr. Stanford said.

As a photographer and sculptor, Mr. Stanford has had his work awarded and shown in various exhibitions. Mr. Stanford is also a sociology professor, has lectured on art, philosophy, and sociology at Blinn College, University of Texas, and Texas A&M.

Being immersed in the arts, Mr. Stanford had a special appreciation for New York-based Shen Yun’s revival of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

“I like the things that are noble because I am also an artist, and I like things that are new and different,” Mr. Stanford said.

Having traveled the world, Mr. Standford was familiar with many East Asian countries and cultures, but had not been to China. But from the performance, he saw a sophisticated presentation of everything from the folk culture to ancient traditions of China.

“It’s both folk arts and is sophisticated at same time the way is done,” Mr. Stanford said. “I know there is great deal of sophistication that goes into the training and the choreography.”

Shen Yun performs classical Chinese dance as well as ethnic and folk dances from the many regions of China. Over 50 ethnic minority groups reside across the country, and every season Shen Yun includes dances like this year’s Mongolian chopsticks dance and the dance of the Yao people.

Mr. Stanford said his takeaway from Shen Yun was the similarities between people of different cultures.

“All people want to have freedom in their eyes,” Mr. Stanford said. “[Shen Yun] did a good job.”

Reporting by Mei Zhong and Catherine Yang

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.