Dance Teacher: Everything is 'spot on'

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LOS ANGELES—Shen Yun Performing Arts dazzled the audience at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center, Sunday afternoon, Feb. 7. Shen Yun showcases the intricate and astounding art of traditional Chinese storytelling through dance and songs. It highlights everything with layers of the story told through the disciplined yet natural elegance of the dancers. Accompanying the performers is a live orchestra, which has blended both traditional Chinese instruments and classical Western instruments to produce a music which reminds one of heaven. The exquisite digital backdrop takes the audience into the performance with the dancers. The positive, vibrant show impressed dance instructor Ms. Garrison and her friend Mr. Flores.

Ms. Garrison said of the show, "Oh, it was wonderful. I loved it. There are so many features—the colors, the energy, [and] the synchronization were just phenomenal. So many people in all. Everything is 'spot on.' Just phenomenal!"

Shen Yun is a New York-based music and dance company that features classical Chinese dance. Many of the performances have more than 20 dancers on stage.

As a dance instructor, Ms. Garrison recognized the tremendous amount of time and effort the dancers invested to create such a show. She said, "I was just in awe [of] how wonderful they were [and] how much time I know they took practicing over and over again. I was just watching to see if they did everything together, and it was just unbelievable! It was so good."

Mr. Flores agreed, commenting that the show was "technically awe inspiring. All the details; I really liked the colors."

He added that he enjoyed the backdrop of each performance, which brings another dimension to the production and contributes to the mythical proportions of the stories. "That was really cool."

The myths and legends which Shen Yun brings to the public through their art have a wealth of meaning. Each song and dance brings to life universal values such as compassion, purity, faithfulness, and bravery.

Ms. Garrison recognized this, saying, "I think it's wonderful that it's not just a show or a performance, but [it] also gives a message. It's wonderful!"

In addition to portraying classical Chinese stories, Shen Yun offers its audiences a glimpse into contemporary China with two dances depicting the situation for anyone who follows the peaceful spiritual discipline of Falun Dafa.

For Mr. Flores and Ms. Garrison it was something quite new. Ms. Garrison said," That was eye-opening for us. We're definitely going to research that some more."

Shen Yun Performing Arts has three dance companies and three orchestras. In addition to its 10 shows in Los Angeles, Shen Yun companies will also be performing in Springfield, St. Louis, and New York.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingarts.org