Ballroom Choreographers Wowed by Shen Yun

Among the audience at Friday night’s performance were Kathleen Cunningham and Randy Willis. The couple have been partners in marriage and dance for over 20 years.
Ballroom Choreographers Wowed by Shen Yun
12/17/2011
Updated:
12/17/2011

DALLAS—The first show of the 2012 Shen Yun Performing Arts world tour lifted off on Friday, Dec. 16, at the Winspear Opera House, part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the downtown Dallas Arts District.

The unique display of Chinese dance, Western bel canto operatic songs, instrumental solos and an orchestra that combines Chinese and Western instruments is what makes the New York-based Shen Yun the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company.

Among the audience at Friday night’s performance were Kathleen Cunningham and Randy Willis. The couple have been partners in marriage and dance for over 20 years. Ms. Cunningham trained with the Houston and Dallas Ballet companies and marveled at what she called “the extension” of the Shen Yun dancers.

She said, “It’s all a flowing movement … very elegant, very regal.” Her husband added, “Looks like 5,000 years of foundation.”

These observations are mentioned on Shen Yun’s website, which states that classical Chinese dance involves rounded gestures and movements, and sees martial arts, acrobatics, Chinese Opera and folk dance as “cultural foundation that has been passed down.”

Mr. Willis said: “Filling a full stage with so many bodies at a time is just magical. Brilliant, actually. Brilliant ideas of moving groups of people.”

When he dances with Ms. Cunningham, it’s just the two of them. They perform ballroom dancing in dance clubs, banquets, and conventions and also compete nationally.

They have had much experience of choreographing, including the floor show at the New Year’s Eve Gala and Valentine’s Ball for KAAM Radio.

“They are lovely!” said Ms. Cunningham of Shen Yun. “I loved it. … This was a fantastic production.”

“Beautiful,” said Mr Willis. “The smoothness, the stillness, their strength, control.”

Reporting by Catherine Yang and Damian Robin.

Shen Yun will perform at Winspear Opera House through Sunday, Dec. 18. For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org