ST. LOUIS—“Worth every minute,” said dance instructor Deborah Fahnestock about Shen Yun Performing Arts, “It’s really just magical—absolutely magical!”

“It’s just given me so many ideas for our shows and how to bring such beautiful international work into what we do,” she said, “I just feel very inspired right now … it’s absolutely gorgeous … really a beautiful, beautiful experience!”

Where ballet emphasizes linear movement, classical Chinese dance emphasizes round, continuous movement with no pauses. According to the company’s website, circularity is the basic characteristic permeating all movement.

Amazed by the fluidity of classical Chinese Dance, Mrs. Fahnestock said “the evolution of movements in classical Chinese [dance] is beautiful … it doesn’t stay static, it grows, it changes.”

“Seeing the women go from being very structured and very gestural, and then into these displays of strength and power … absolutely stunning!”

Mrs. Fahnestock attended the matinee performance with her husband Anthony Fahnestock, software engineer, at the Stifel Theatre (formerly Peabody Opera House) in St. Louis on Feb. 18.

“It was exciting to see the dance-fight choreography, and then there was so many more... just deep moments, especially with the celestial beings coming down through the digital backdrop,” he said, “It was really, really ... incredible.”

Mr. Larose attended the matinee performance with his wife Rita Lupo at the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis on Feb. 18.

“The message was important overall … that the better part of humanity will overcome the evil part,” said Mr. Larose. “We will overcome.”

“I appreciate the stand that’s been taken, and the message of honor, and the message of pureness, and the message of love,” Mr. Larose said.