TORONTO—Shen Yun Performing Arts is "full of teachable moments" according to the former director of the Toronto District School Board who took in the performance company's final 2009 Toronto show at Canon Theatre on Sunday.
"I regard it as a really wonderful learning experience. I find it very inspiring. I have worked with Chinese students for many years and didn't quite understand their performing arts, the dance and music. The thing I like about it [Shen Yun] is it tells a story and it is inspiring as well as a wonderful learning experience," said Mrs. Connelly.
The educator said that Shen Yun is the kind of performance students need to attend.
"It would be very useful for kids to attend and we have a lot of schools of performing arts. I think it would be a wonderful experience for them to understand the origins of the classical Chinese and their contribution to the arts because we often don't know enough about the history so I think that would be wonderful."
Between the show's many dance and musical pieces two hosts offer introductions and explanation to enrich audience understanding. One of the things the show's hosts explained was that the flips and aerial techniques most people know as gymnastics are actually moves borrowed from classical Chinese dance.
"I thought that was very interesting, I doubt many people would know that," said Mrs. Connelly.
She said she also enjoyed the way the dances incorporated China's rich spiritual traditions, history and legends.
"I think that's wonderful. We were just saying that when we went to school, we learned zero about Chinese history...I think the more we can learn about different cultures and different perspectives, the better it is. So I think it is wonderful."
Mrs. Connelly also commented on Shen Yun's efforts to revive the essence of Chinese performing arts. Like virtually every aspect of traditional Chinese culture, such arts were either suppressed or co-opted for political purposes when the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949. She thought this dynamic of Chinese history and performing arts was also an educational opportunity.
"I think it's something that students should be aware of. It is part of the culture that I was not aware of as an educator."
With Mrs. Connelly was friend and fellow educator, history teacher Mrs. Yagos.
"I think something like this, just watching it, going through the whole process, their story telling and everything—I think students would really enjoy this. I think it is something they could really look at and see from a different perspective," said Mrs. Yagos.
Mrs. Connelly agreed. "There is a lot of teachable moments in there," adding that the artistic elements of the performances were "outstanding."
"Amazing," her companion chimed.
Shen Yun is scheduled to return to Toronto in January with its all-new 2010 program. For more information visit www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.
