Kentucky Audience Applauds Combination of Traditional Music and Dance

Feb 01, 2019Shen Yun

Richmond, Ky—Shen Yun has tasked itself with the mission of reviving China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture. Audience members relayed their impressions after experiencing the concerted efforts of the performers in Richmond, Ky.

"It's beautiful," Crossroads Church Pastor David Reichley said. "It's a neat portrayal of there being a higher power and submitting to that, and there being good here on earth that can be experienced."

Sounds, Movement Impress Pastor

Reichley was particularly impressed with the combination of beautiful sounds and elegant movement from the dancers.

"It's amazing the journey you take," the pastor said. "Even just in the first hour of seeing the history and the culture, and even a little bit of humor in the way they move and they dance."

Divine Message

Themes of the divine resonated strongly with Reichley.

"History and the culture of China, obviously, is through everything," he said. "The belief that there is a higher power that’s obtainable here on earth, to do good and to surrender to, seem to be throughout a lot of the dances."

Overall Reichley thought the show was"awesome." "I'm glad my daughter and I came, we had a great time," he said.

Keeping Traditions Alive

Max Conyers, director at Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), said he was happy that Shen Yun Performing Arts was keeping traditional Chinese culture alive.

"Because it's something beautiful and should be preserved, and celebrated, and enjoyed by many people across the world," he said. "It seems really honest and genuine and … you can tell the discipline and the energy, and the love they put into their art. It's really genuine, I think that comes through the performances."

'Miracles' Happen

The themes of spirituality and the divine also stood out to Conyers.

"I think that's reflected in the dance too that there's a higher power and there's miracle[s happening] on Earth and above," he said. "Gives us strength and faith to go on and live our lives, and give our strength to others and help humanity overall."

'Angels Coming Down'

Conyers described parts of the performance as depicting "angels coming down to help."

"We have angels on Earth embodied in people in their acts and their behavior. Some we can see, some we can't," he said. "We see miracles everyday I think, we read about them. I think that's reflected in the showmanship on stage."

When asked what he would tell others who are keen to experience Shen Yun, he said "just come and see it."

"I think it's beautiful and should be enjoyed by everybody," Conyers said.

'Top Notch' Performance

Nashwa Cahill rated the performance as excellent and top notch. She said she appreciated the mission of Shen Yun.

"It's part of their identity and part of their culture, which [is] what I love about the show," said Cahill, who works as a dance instructor at Berea College.

How the music complemented movements of the dancers stood out to her, and also the quality of the singing and live orchestra.

"I would definitely recommend it," Cahill said. "To all, not only dance professions but also non-dancers."

Live Orchestra Combines East, West

The live orchestra blends ancient Chinese instruments with classical western instruments, and integrates the music into dance. Audience members said this was one of the outstanding highlights.

"I was amazed at just the precision of the orchestra and every single movement of the dancers," Yolanda Davis, a business developer, said. "They just were in complete unison, It was beautiful. I really didn't know what to expect but the color, the choreography is the one thing I’ve just been amazed with."

Davis highly regards the performance.

"I would say if you have a chance to come see it, then you know, don't miss it," she said. "It's just really a beautiful experience."

Sharing Happy Memories

The performance left members of the audience feeling good and eager to share their experience with others in their networks.

"I invite everybody to come to this, and I hope they have the time to come because this is really, you'll be inspired from this," Carlos Linares, a professor at Sullivan University, said. "All of these: the music, the dancing, the singing, everything ... it was very inspiring."

'Going to Heaven'

"The songs, the performance, everything is about ... going to heaven again," Linares added. "And we need to do our best here with what we do right now, and the best of everybody, you help everybody, and being a good person."

NTD News, Richmond, Kentucky

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