ST. LOUIS—“I thought it was fantastic, absolutely beautiful. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I'd like to come back again next year,” said Dr. Rosalyn Miles, a physician of Neurology, after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts grace the stage at the Peabody Opera House, on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The New York-based classical Chinese dance and music company, Shen Yun, criss-crosses the globe with one mission: to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture, according to the company’s website.
Dr. Rosalyn Miles felt that the performance opened her up to a different culture. “It really opened my eyes, especially through the thousands of years of history—very, very different, very interesting, especially now when the world is changing.
“I think we’ve become more sensitive to what’s going on in other countries. Before, I think, we’ve been a little bit more isolated and now we’re seeing through the eyes of others, and I think that’s fantastic.”
Dr. Miles was accompanied to the show by her mother, Dr. Rosalyn England-Henry, a professor of music. She is the Director of Music at the Harris-Stowe State University and also conducts The Concert Choral at the university.
“I’m excited and happy. It was so beautiful tonight, it was wonderful,” Dr. England-Henry said.
“Oh, my goodness, they were wonderful, ”I enjoyed every last one of them,” she said, referring to the Shen Yun’s soloists.
Primarily known for being the world’s best classical Chinese dance company, the company also boasts award-winning soloists.
“I was classically trained and that’s the kind of music I thoroughly appreciate, and I can listen to it forever,” she explained.
“Their voices were excellent, and the little, young lady who played the piano, what a talent, she has quite a talent. … She is very gifted and talented.”
Elaborating, she explained that the pianist “followed the singer to the letter. The singers were right in tune and on pitch and on time and she played her role, so that they had no problems. There was no problem with them working together. They were absolutely coordinated.”
Shen Yun tours with a full orchestra, as well, composed of both Western and Chinese instruments.