GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Former dancer Leah Treck said Shen Yun gave her a renewed appreciation for the joy and beauty of life.

“It was so, so touching. It really makes you just want to live and reach out and love everybody,” said Ms. Treck.

Ms. Treck and friend Pam Hogan saw Shen Yun perform Dec. 30 at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. It was Shen Yun’s first-ever performance in Gainesville.

Shen Yun presents ethnic and classical Chinese dance. An orchestra accompanies the dancers. The dance programs highlight China’s many dynasties and variety of ethnic minorities.

Ms. Treck danced ballet, jazz, and tap professionally. As a child she wanted to join the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, but she never grew tall enough.

Ms. Treck was speaking not only of the dancers: “the singing, the musicians, the orchestra, everything; it was just, everything was one. It was such beautiful unity and love.”

Ms. Treck’s friend, Ms. Hogan, a retired manager, agreed, “it was very, very beautiful. Seeing so many young people and so, so dedicated. Such a wonderful work.”

The dancers’ commitment to their art impressed Ms. Treck, “You can really see their love and the passion they have for their art.”

She said that for her, Shen Yun “reinforced how beautiful and magnificent [Chinese culture] is. Hopefully we can move forward with it, all together, as one world.”

Ms. Treck said the performance left her with a great sense of “the joy of life, and how beautiful and precious life is.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Nicholas Zifcak

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

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.