Shen Yun Performing Arts: The Significant Cultural Event of Our Time

“It was a surprise; I didn’t expect such a beautiful combination of Western and Asian culture, fascinating; it’s very visual music.” “The thing about this concert is that one minute we are in Asia, in the middle of China and one minute later—in Vienna. Isn’t it brilliant? I think it is.” “Some parts were very […]

“I think [the Shen Yun Orchestra] is wonderful. The mixture of the instruments from China and the Western arrangements are just wonderful.” “It increases your appreciation of music because it is something that you don’t usually hear—this type of mixture.”

“It was great. It was probably the best performance I have ever been to. Because, I felt it deep down inside my soul, like the deepest part of my soul. I felt it.” “It was really, really good—and as soon as the first song started playing I actually started crying, that is how much it […]

“I have come here the last three times [the Shen Yun Orchestra] have been here and enjoyed it every time.” “I like the mix of the Chinese and the Western music and I like the way they balance it within the pieces—it’s beautiful.” “Music is a very spiritual thing, in my opinion, and this just […]

“[Shen Yun Orchestra musicians] are quite good, very organized, … a great, enjoyable experience. [The music] is a great sampling from Chinese culture and Western culture.” “[The music is] very energetic and peaceful at the same time. Very joyful.”

“It is wonderful! They really did an excellent and superb job. We really enjoyed it. It’s [outstanding] just the joy that it brings out, the excitement—excitement, joy—in all different parts.” “[The combination of Western and Eastern instruments] is what makes it kinda of unique—the music. We are not accustom to hearing all of them.” “[The […]

“I was truly touched [by Shen Yun]. On the whole, I could sense both its overwhelming powerfulness and its subtlety.” “In short, both its magnificent momentum and tenderness are very touching.” “I am a man who likes Mother Nature. When it comes to the erhu ensemble, [which played “Ancient Melody”], I seemed to vividly feel […]

“I think it was wonderful! Very, very beautiful.” “It felt very relaxing, very calming, very magical. It was wonderful to hear.” “The sound was just very calming, and the music felt good. You could feel it in your body. … I felt the music in my soul.” “Everybody should have an opportunity to come and […]

“I loved it. It was incredible, just incredible. I used to play the violin so I understand the kind of level of professionalism they’re using here, it’s just amazing. Very touched. The whole orchestra is incredible.” “It puts me in a higher place. Very high place. I saw the [dance performances of Shen Yun Performing […]

“I see these people are playing together and that they have a common language, their music, and it’s just so neat to see them all on stage.” “It’s celestial, just sounds so heavenly. The music just takes you away.”

“It’s beautiful. It’s like being in Heaven. Listening to this music is so impressive, they are very talented. It’s super pleasurable.” “It’s great how they meshed the Western and Chinese traditions. Sounds wonderful, fairly pretty.” “It feels like paradise, it’s very nice. They are super talented, super talented. It’s the best.” “I think what it […]

“Certain instruments that are played in [the Shen Yun orchestra]—are not played in any other type of orchestral setting and it’s really nice to hear it. It’s much different, it’s much more soothing.” “It’s such a unique thing [Eastern and Western instruments combined] that I don’t think I’ve seen something like this anywhere else.” “The […]

“It was truly beautiful, I really enjoyed the mix of East and West, and I thought the conductor and the entire symphony did a beautiful job.” “You could see the conductor, see the excitement, especially at the end that he was having a great time and I think it added even more to the audience […]

“It was a very good mix of music. Chinese music with [Western and Chinese instruments].” “I think it was great. I enjoyed both very much, and the Chinese instruments were lovely. Very soothing.”

“I am a fan of music, I go to many Broadway plays, listen to symphonies, orchestras, but today just exceeded my expectations.” “It is like perfection, and that is what the artist are striving for, and you see them working hard on the stage and the music that comes out is like angels playing. It […]

“I just went to Heaven—it gave me the feeling of ecstasy and the awareness of the transcendental space that connects us all with each other. And oneness—it helps me experience oneness. I’m so appreciative.” “I went to Heaven inside of myself, that peaceful place—that place where peace passes all our understanding—and it was wonderful.” “I […]

“It was fantastic. Really upbeat and I loved the combinations of the Western music with the Eastern.” “It gives me goosebumps, you know—the march music was very good.” “With the Chinese instruments, it brings this sort of melodic, very old world music—it’s fantastic.” “The soloist [Fiona Zheng], she didn’t miss a beat—beautiful, beautiful! And I […]

“[Combining Eastern and Western classical instruments is] so beautiful. It merges so beautifully with the rest of the music, and the Chinese tradition is fabulous. We love it. … It combines very delicately. It’s fabulous.” “Even if the music is sometimes exciting, it has a very calming effect.” “I found the opening piece was a […]

“It was wonderful—I felt very celestial, very heavenly … I’ve been wanting to come for years, but I haven’t, I’m glad I did.” “I’m a bit of a percussionist. I loved it all, but I was listening to the percussion because that’s what I do. I loved it.” “I like to sit up close because […]

“It is very unique music—between the American influence and the Chinese influence. That is not something that I have heard before, and I very much enjoy listening to that because it is unique.” “I very much appreciate the talent of the musicians who give us this performance. It is not easy to play these pieces, […]

“I just feel like they’re so professional in their presentation of this performance. … I’ve never heard a violin play that register way up high as I did on the soloist. She was incredible—the talent is incredible. I was very impressed.” “[The orchestra’s energy] moved up and down and sort of took us along with […]

“Absolutely spectacular, phenomenal, phenomenal. So beautiful it’s overwhelming. It’s just so beautiful, so talented, it’s spectacular—it’s just impressive.” “They were all wonderful. The soloist was marvelous. It’s enthralling. It’s just overwhelming and it just carries you away. You’re just floored by it, totally floored by it. We’re here completely—and it’s just a wonderful experience.” “It […]

“It’s very moving, very emotional. It’s just incredible music, incredible sounds. That [Chinese] part of it is what’s inspiring me or really touching me emotionally.” “Look at all these people performing as one. The appreciation of that is—how that happens is incredible—it’s just something you don’t see normally in life.” “It’s wonderful. It’s more than […]

“Oh, it was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I actually had to close my eyes, and I could envision the open land—in one of the last pieces—it was absolutely beautiful.” “Those [original compositions] were absolutely beautiful and very entertaining. Just very calming and just absolutely relaxing.” “I have a very stressful job, so just listening to this […]

“Unbelievable—I’m blown away. I’ve never heard this orchestra, I’ve wanted to hear it for a long time. it’s just amazing. Their instruments sang and it brings me to tears, especially the violinist, the soloist [Fiona Zheng, Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy]. She was crazy—crazy good.” “[Fiona Zheng] really just—to the nth—she just went beyond what you thought […]

“I love this. This is wonderful, it’s wonderful; I can’t wait until the soprano comes out.” “The energy is uplifting, it’s beautiful, it’s very eloquent.” “At the beginning I feel it all in my crown chakra, so it’s opening up those spiritual centers, and then as they go on I feel it go through my […]

Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra left audience members at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland, in a state of awe. Charlene Rivera, a retired professor and former executive director at George Washington University, attended the performance and said it transports the audience to a panoply of destinations, both cultural and spiritual. “The music is […]