RENO, Nev.—Jonathan Dummar, Pilates instructor and former ballet dancer, thought the presentation of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 8 was “spectacular.”
He was especially impressed by the Tibetan dance. “It’s very energetic and well-choreographed. The dancers displayed tremendous technique and skill.”
Mr. Dummar has performed with the Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Memphis, and other companies across the country. As a former ballet dancer, he noted the dancers’s skills in classical Chinese dance.
“They have amazing technique. It was wonderful,” said Mr. Dummar, who has also performed as a part of the National Ballet of China, Tianjin.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded in 2006 by a group of leading Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of China’s ruling communist party. Following the regime’s violent takeover in 1949, Chinese traditional culture underwent a period of mass destruction.
He said he learned much about classical Chinese dance. “All the time. It shows me some similarities. Actually more similarities than differences. I really appreciate the coordination, the balance, and the flexibility.”
The imagery throughout inspired him. “Beautiful, yes, and inspirational. Inspirational imagery, lovely imagery. It’s reminding me of some marks of Solomon’s temple from Jerusalem.
“The emcees are very well-spoken, and they have great voices,“ he said. He gave his best wishes to Shen Yun: ”Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you to them.”
Reporting by Mary Mann and Yvonne Marcotte.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
