KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan—Ms. Hsiao Chao-Ting, dance artist and teacher, watched Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s performance at Chih-The Hall of the Kaohsiung City Cultural Center for the first time, with her parents, on March 14. At intermission, Ms. Hsiao praised the extravaganza, saying, “This high quality performance is way worth the ticket price!”
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Formed in 2006, the company consists of the world’s top overseas Chinese performing artists, who seek to revive traditional, divinely inspired Chinese culture and art forms.
Ms. Hsiao attended dance classes from a young age and she especially adores classical Chinese dance. After going to college, she became a dance artist and a teacher.
She paid special attention to the dance movements of the Shen Yun dancers. “Shen Yun’s dance artists pay great attention to the details of dancing. There is strict demand on every artist’s figure, height, tiptoe, and strength. It’s very hard to reach a high standard like theirs.”
“The dancing artists’ costumes are luxurious with supple texture,” she added. “They use difference dance movements to present different kinds of stories, plus the choreography blends the dancing flawlessly into the background projection. The performance brings out the scenarios in the stories vividly.”
Ms. Hsiao was particularly impressed by Sleeves of Silk. According to the program booklet, “Classical Chinese dance uses what are known as ”water sleeves“ for some of its loveliest expressions. Acting as extensions of a dancer’s arms, these sleeves linger in the air long after a movement is finished.”
“I love that kind of taste and style,” she said of the dance.
‘It is of a high standard in all aspects!’
Zeng Qiuliang, president of BADA Forest Theme Park, showed up with delight to see his fourth Shen Yun performance. He praised this year’s all-new production.
Unable to find adequate words to describe his feelings about the performance, Zeng Qiuliang summed it up simply by saying “good.” “Dance and the orchestra are very good, good content, good costumes, good solos, and good arrangement. It is of a high standard in all aspects!
“Shen Yun has great programs, like the solo performance, ”What Is The Meaning of Life", by the soprano, and the dance The Dafa Practitioner’s Magical Encounter. Frankly speaking, as for the deeper meaning, I know it, but I’m unable to express it. I can feel their commitment to their training and all aspects.”
Zeng Qiuliang was also fascinated by the dynamic animated backdrops. “I have been wondering how they did it, to get the performers descending down from the backdrop to the stage, and then ascending upward. Heaven and the secular world are brought together through the remarkable design. It is something I have never seen in other performances.”
Zeng Qiuliang admired the New York-based Shen Yun for its efforts to promote traditional Chinese culture and arts. “Every time I watch Shen Yun, I feel uplifted, and very delighted,” he said.
Reporting by Liao Feng-Lin & Lin Hsin-Yi and Amy Lien
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform in seven cities in Taiwan until April 8 and then continue to top venues in Australia and New Zealand.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Read the original Chinese article
Read the original Chinese article
Friends Read Free