Ballet Teacher: Shen Yun Combines ‘Power and Elegance’

NTD Newsroom
Shen Yun
NEWARK, N.J.—Shen Yun Performing Arts gave a performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on April 30. With story-based dance, vibrant costumes, and a patented digital backdrop, Shen Yun took audiences on a journey through ancient China.

“Unbelievable, the strength. What is amazing about it is the combination of the power and the elegance, along with the costuming and the music,” Evy Zavolas, a ballet teacher, said.

“Sometimes, the women look like they’re floating when they have long dresses. They’re not walking, they’re not dancing, they’re floating,” Ernie Bivona, a business owner, said.

“The technique was top notch. I could not believe how incredibly in sync they were—even their pinky fingers, even the way they used the waterfalls with the sleeves, the way they use the costumes with the choreography—I thought was so unique. It’s something I’d never seen before, and the intricacy that it takes to do that, the training that it takes, I don’t think people understand how hard it is to do what they do,” Ms. Zavolas said.

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture from “China before communism,” which deeply resonated with audience members, who were moved by the cultural traditions and values shown on stage.

“I really loved how it also brought in spirituality, not just about dance but about the culture, about God. I thought it was so beautiful—what a beautiful message,” Ms. Zavolas said.

“I think it’s important because unfortunately, in modern Russia, China, communist party, they want to eliminate all that spirituality. And when you do that, it’s not a good thing. It’s not a good thing to do that,” Mr. Bivona said.

“Tremendously entertaining, beautiful dancers, beautiful costumes, great music,” John Falzon, a retired IT executive, said. “Digital background is very interesting, especially when they jump into the digital background. It’s very clever, and it was entertaining.”

Sandy Posner, the owner of Gilt Complex, said, “I just thought it was wonderful, wonderful that all those people could do that and move in the same movements and look so good while they’re doing it. It was wonderful.”

Shen Yun will be performing in Stamford, Connecticut, from May 7–10.
NTD News, Newark, New Jersey

NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.