Over the weekend, Shen Yun Performing Arts held three performances at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio. Audiences were overwhelmed by the beauty of the performance and the spirituality of traditional Chinese culture.
Patrice Link attended Shen Yun’s performance at the Aronoff Center. As the founder of Patrice Link Dance School, she raved about the artistry of Shen Yun’s classical Chinese dance and felt an emotional connection with every aspect of the Shen Yun performance.
“Wonderful, just very, very overwhelming and emotional. Everything was beautiful,” She said.
Ms. Link added: “The artistic ability is just beyond, I mean, whoever the choreographers are, they are wonderful. But the dancers, you know, they have something to work with, and they just elevate them.”
Ron Bell, Co-Founder of AluChem, Inc., brought his granddaughter to watch Shen Yun. Mr. Bell was overwhelmed by the beauty of the dance and the stories.
Mr. Bell said: “It was overwhelmingly beautiful. I mean, the athleticism and the precision of the artists are absolutely amazing. And the storyline is really beautiful as well.”
Erin Lambers, the owner of Cornell Studio Supply, felt the emotion of the Shen Yun vocal soloists, who used the traditional Bel Canto technique in their singing.
Ms. Lamber said: “The soloists, the vocal soloists, and instrumental was amazing. You could feel the emotion of what was being said, even if you couldn’t understand the language, which was beautiful.”
Shen Yun’s portrayal of China’s divinely inspired culture through the story-based dance resonated with Ms. Link.
She said: “The theory behind it, when they call the creator, the creator to me as God, and it’s just brought people … it was just a hush in the audience. You know when you know what it’s about. And if you get that belief and you have that belief, it’s just wonderful. And if you don’t have it, you’re gonna get it.”
William Housh, Founder & CEO of Greensource Cincinnati, learned that Chinese people also have a strong faith through Shen Yun.
He said: “It’s just great to know that there are people of faith on another side of the world where we think everyone does not have faith and does not appreciate something more than the government … So I think that was extra special because we have a strong faith. And it’s great to see another culture that also has a strong faith.”
Shen Yun brought to light the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the communist regime in modern China. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual meditation practice based in Buddhist tradition with a focus on the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Mr. Bell sympathized with the Chinese people who do not enjoy the freedom to believe in China.
Mr. Bell said: “We have a real heart for freedom. And, you know, and the thought of persecution in this great world of ours is very disturbing.”
Becky Neiheisel, who used to sing professionally, watched Shen Yun with her husband.
Mrs. Neiheisel was sad to learn about the persecution of Falun Gong. She said: “I’m sorry that things have happened as they have, but I’m glad you have the expression here to show what’s going on and express it so beautifully.”
Shen Yun will be performing three shows in Cleveland next weekend.
NTD News, Cincinnati, Ohio.
