RALEIGH, N.C.—Haywood Corbett is a construction business owner from Wilmington, NC. He attended Shen Yun Performing Arts—the world’s premier of Chinese classical dance—at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium on Friday night, Jan. 10.

Mr. Corbett, who was accompanied by his wife Myrtle, a retired banker, and his sister, June Thames, who currently works at an all-girls college, thoroughly enjoyed the opening-night presentation of the New York-based Shen Yun.

He was most impressed with the costumes and the hard work that went into putting a show of this grand caliber together.

“I know all the travel is a hardship, but it brings a lot of joy to the communities that they come in and perform. We really thank you for it,” he said.

Sophisticated dance techniques, an orchestra joining instruments from both the East and West, beautiful costumes, and a stunning backdrop—this is Shen Yun at first glance. But digging deeper, one discovers a sea of traditional Chinese culture where mortals and divine beings merge on stage as one.

“Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience. Originating from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, these ideals are the essence of traditional Chinese culture,” Shen Yun’s website reads.

Mr. Corbett’s sister, Ms. Thames, thought the orchestra was outstanding. She said she hadn’t realized that gymnastics actually came from classical Chinese dance.

Mrs. Corbett added that she found Shen Yun touching. She has a friend who teaches English in China.

“It was very touching for me,“ she said. ”So I will be able to tell her what I have seen and experienced tonight, and look forward to going some time myself to China.”

Like her husband, Mrs. Corbett was also impressed with how much effort, work, and coordination that went into putting a show of this scale together. She was even more amazed at how Shen Yun was able to assemble such a large collection of professional talent.

“Where did you find these talents? And the people that put it together, they’re absolutely phenomenal,” she said.

According to the website, in 2006 a group of leading classical Chinese artists came together in New York with one wish: to revive the true, divinely inspired culture of China and share it with the world.

With a passion for the classical arts, top artists from around the globe joined Shen Yun in its mission to revive a culture that was once almost lost to 60 years under communist rule.

Reporting by NTD Television and Raiatea Tahana-Reese .

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.