SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s Mission Is Inspiring and ‘So Important,’ Says Philanthropist

Dec 27, 2024

SAN JOSE—Rose Uzunova, head of philanthropy at a philanthropic organization, had chosen to bring her mother and fiance to see Shen Yun Performing Art and couldn’t be happier with her choice.

“Oh, it’s amazing, it’s really beautiful. It’s just wonderful family entertainment,” said Ms. Uzunova at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 27. “It’s beautiful to be able to bring [my mom] into such an immersive cultural experience.”

New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, and although the ancient art form serves as the primary medium for Shen Yun’s revival of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, a Shen Yun production includes much more.

Audiences often note the unique music, all original compositions wherein a classical orchestra utilizes ancient Chinese instruments and melodies, or the animated backdrop, Shen Yun’s own patented invention.

“It was just really interesting the juxtaposition between the technology and the dance,” Ms. Uzunova said. Classical Chinese dance goes back millennia to the imperial courts and ancient theaters, and the digital backdrop allows the stage to be expanded infinitely, taking the audience along up to the heavens or deep beneath the sea.

“And then just also learning more about the culture, I have to say I’m learning a lot today about just the history, the different dances, and then the folklore dances and the traditional [dance],” Ms. Uzunova said.

In addition to classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun performs story-based dances and ethnic and folk dances showcasing some of China’s 50-plus ethnic minority groups and regions. Having a dance background herself and an interest in native dance traditions, Ms. Uzunova appreciated the breadth and depth of Shen Yun’s performance.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” she said. She noted the ability and talent of the dancers.

“It’s incredible what they can do with their bodies,” she said, and that sometimes included using props or costumes like flowing skirts and long sleeves as an extension of the limbs, manipulating the fabrics deftly and in sync. “And then the ensembles—the synchronization is absolutely incredible.”

Ms. Uzunova added that Shen Yun’s mission to revive the once nearly lost culture was much needed.

“It’s so important,” she said. “Unfortunately, I think for various reasons, the broad American population doesn’t know enough or hasn’t seen only certain sides of Chinese society and culture.”

“And just to see the richness and unique heritage is really beautiful,” she said.

Reporting by NTD and Catherine Yang.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.