ESCONDIDO, Calif.—The California Center for the Arts hosted a very special evening on Jan. 17, 2020, when Shen Yun Performing Arts debuted its all-new classical Chinese dance performance to a sold-out crowd. And it was a special experience for another reason, too: it was “daddy-daughter time” for one CEO and his 9-year-old.

Jeff Kliewer is the CEO and co-founder of Viewspark, a technology and fundraising company, and his daughter Alexa Joy is a fourth-grader and student of dance. It was the first time for both of them to see the New York-based performing arts company.

“She brought me, just the two of us. She wanted to come, and so we gave it to her for a Christmas present. Mom is at home with our son, and Alexa Joy and I are having a special daddy-daughter night together,” Kliewer said, who went on to describe how much the two enjoyed the show and felt uplifted.

“It’s very cool,” Alexa Joy said. “The music is very unique and pretty.”

Jeff enjoyed the spirituality permeating the performance and could relate it to his own faith as well. From his perspective, beauty is apparent in all divine creation, and Shen Yun expressed a similar culture.

“And so when we see dancing, when we see spirituality, it’s an experience, we do this unto Him. He’s given us this ability; He’s given us this talent to do things, and so it’s neat to see the ability to do that for Him,” he said.

“It’s very neat to see the nice expression of friendliness and warmth. It’s always nice to see when the good people win,” Jeff said.

The dance that stood out to Alexa Joy is “The Miraculous Flute,” a story about a young Taoist, his magical flute, and a scorned wife.

“Alexa Joy really liked the bamboo flute, the green flute dance. That was funny. Very humorous. Very nice,” Jeff said.

The pair had a message for other prospective Shen Yun audience members, and for their mother and brother at home.

“It’s wonderful. I want to come back,” Alexa Joy said.

“Their mission, I think it’s wonderful. They’re certainly reaching a lot of people,” Jeff observed. “This audience is full. There’s not an empty seat in the house, so it’s neat to see that. Very nice, positive influence on the society.”

“I think it’s been a wonderful experience so far, we’ve really enjoyed being here and would definitely come back,” he added.

“Phenomenal. Come back,” Alexa Joy urged people.

“The same,” Jeff said. “Just a beautiful experience. A wonderful evening together.”