SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Lydia Robirosa and her daughter Laury have been dancers all their lives, with roots back in Spain with the Spanish ballet, but felt a deep connection with the dancers of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, Jan. 14.
Mrs. Robirosa was deeply touched by New York-based Shen Yun’s revival of traditional Chinese culture, and the explanation of so many forms that originated from the dance performed on stage.
Classical Chinese dance is a vast and independent system of dance refined through the dynasties. Mrs. Robirosa says so many of the dances and techniques today—such as ones found in gymnastics—really do originate from classical Chinese dance but people mistake their origin for European.
Having studied Spanish ballet from age two, Mrs. Robirosa said that was not the case. Through her career as a professional dancer, Mrs. Robirosa also focused on many folkloric dances.
The deep traditional values of China are what make classical Chinese dance so expressive, and none of it was lost on Mrs. Robirosa.
“The expression of the spirituality in every step of the dance is a message, and I receive it,” Mrs. Robirosa said.
Ms. Robirosa dances as well, and now teaches dance fitness, belly-dancing, and Bollywood style dance. Watching the performance, Ms. Robirosa said, “I feel connected to the people of China.”
“I absolutely loved it,” Ms. Robirosa said. “Very inspirational and very educational.”
Ms. Robirosa was touched by the expression of belief and passion she saw in Shen Yun’s dances, and wished it was something the performers could bring to China.
All of the performers had been “absolutely amazing, absolutely amazing,” Ms. Robirosa said, and on a technical level, they were a “ten-plus.”
“Everyone was in unison; the story behind it, it was amazing, absolutely amazing. I was trying to make sure I had my eye on everybody and the background,” Ms. Robirosa said. “All the dancers were spot on; orchestra—spot on.”
Reporting by Alex Ma and Catherine Yang
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
