HOUSTON—The theater was lively on New Year’s Eve as the audience applauded, cheered, and gave a standing ovation to Shen Yun’s second to last performance in Houston.

Videographer Lee Fernandez felt transported into another place while watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts.

Mr. Fernandez said that, listening to the orchestra, watching the performance, he felt like he was in another land.

“The mixed West and Eastern instruments was really ingenious,” Mr. Fernandez said.

New York-based Shen Yun’s orchestra blends traditional Chinese instruments seamlessly into a full western orchestra, which accompanies each of the traditional Chinese dances on stage.

For Mr. Fernandez, the digital backdrop, brilliant costumes, music, colors, and dancers were brought together creatively, entertainingly, and left him educated about a culture new to him.

Mr. Fernandez said the Shen Yun performers had perfected their art, and created an amazing, unique experience. He planned to return to see Shen Yun’s all-new performance next year, and wanted to thank the performers.

“We have to keep come back to see it again next year,” Mr. Fernandez said.

Mary Lagoski, a psychotherapist, had also come to Shen Yun for the first time as a holiday event and planned to come back with friends next season.

“It was lovely,” Ms. Lagoski said. “Beautiful music, really, really refreshing.”

Ms. Lagoski’s every day life is stressful, and even the holidays are hectic, but Shen Yun for her was just peace. “It was nice and relaxing,” Ms. Lagoski said. “It was a wonderful experience.”

Watching Shen Yun, she learned that Chinese culture was inspired by the heavens, and the spirituality of the culture was inspiring for her.

“They combined heaven and earth and connected them,” Ms. Lagoski said. “We’re all the same; we’re all just people, and it really connects us all, as Americans, to the Chinese people.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Sonia Wu

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.