SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Audience: Chinese Culture Is Beautiful

Apr 18, 2025

4/18/2025Updated: 4/21/2025

CALGARY, Canada—On April 17, Stephanie and Nathan Walker came to enjoy Shen Yun Performing Arts at Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

Shen Yun is based in New York, and its mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

“I actually think the Chinese culture is beautiful. I love it. And we actually felt we had a lot in common, even though we’re a different religion. We’re Christian, but we could really identify with the message a lot. And I appreciated that,” said Stephanie Walker.

Shen Yun’s live orchestra is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“I was amazed by the orchestra. I couldn’t believe it. You get so lost in the performance, you forget. You kind of think it’s a recording. But no, it’s a live orchestra, and it was magnificent. The music was fantastic,” said Nathan Walker, a business owner.

One instrument that really captured Ms. Walker was the two-stringed erhu.

“I love the virtuoso, that instrument. Beautiful. And the reactions of people around me were just in awe. They were just making comments, and I’ve never heard that really ever. She was like a master artist,” she said.

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“The costumes were great. The dancing was wonderful. I loved the tumbling, the interactions, the stories from the culture and from traditions. I really appreciated the spiritual aspect as well,” Mr. Walker said.

Mr. Walker recognized the genuine happy faces that the dancers had.

“It was magnificent. I noticed they’re quite young, just to see them over there smiling and performing—very well trained, and I got the sense that they really enjoyed it. You feel their energy and how much they love it,” Mr. Walker said.

Without speaking, Shen Yun’s artists are able to tell stories that come from Chinese history, literature, myth, and legend. Some of the stories include the legend of the Creator.

“I have a faith. I do believe that the creator will come again. And so that time is coming, and we’re excited for it. But at the same time, there’s a lot of bad in the world,” Mr. Walker said.

Shen Yun’s singers are trained in bel canto technique, and the digital backdrop provides a translation of the Chinese lyrics being sung.

“I enjoyed the musical pieces. It was during the soprano and the baritone. And the music’s wonderful. You’re able to read the subtitles and the great message—it was just a really good reminder,” Mr. Walker said.

The songs sung by Shen Yun’s singers speak of staying true to high moral standards. Mr. Walker saw hope in text.

“The message to me is not to lose hope, to be kind. Karma, what you give is what you get in return. Just need to have hope for when the Creator comes again, and if anything, just be nice. Just take some time to be kind,” he said.

Due to Shen Yun’s truthful depiction of modern-day China, Shen Yun is unable to perform in China.

“It’s too bad that [Shen Yun] couldn’t perform there. Hopefully people that see it here can share the message with those in China,” Ms. Walker said.

Reporting by Lily Yu and Maria Han.

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