SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun: A Lesson in Becoming Better

Jan 07, 2014
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Shen Yun: A Lesson in Becoming Better
Teacher turned student Monique Parent said the Shen Yun performance at Place des Arts on Jan. 6, 2014, left her with a feeling of striving to become better. (NTD Television)

MONTRÉAL, Canada—Having seen Shen Yun perform at Place des Arts in Montréal on Monday night, teacher turned student Monique Parent said the show left her with a feeling of striving to become better.

”Magnificent,” she said of the show.

“It gave you the feeling that you wanted to move like the dancers, because when you are watching them they make you think, ‘What am I doing?’ Of course we cannot all become stars like these dancers but we could take them as an example and think, ‘Why can’t I take myself a bit higher?’ We can always take ourselves a bit higher from where we are and that is what I think is important, and I think that is the message that this magnificent Shen Yun gives us—always go higher, always try to become bigger, better.”

In presenting the essence of China’s 5,000-year-culture, Shen Yun features classical Chinese dance as well as folk and ethnic dances—all to the music of a live orchestra that blends Chinese and Western instruments to create an innovative and harmonious sound.

“What really struck me was all the grace and the flexibility of the dancers, and the music was wonderful, exceptional,” said Ms. Parent.

Ms. Parent has taught elementary, secondary, CEGEP (General and Vocational College), and has also taught French as a second language at the Univérsité de Montréal. She has pursued several degrees throughout her life, and is currently studying for a BA in physics.

She said she was particularly struck by the variety of colours and costumes in the show. Shen Yun’s costumes are originally designed and handmade, and run the gamut from those of emperors, ministers, and generals to the everyday clothing of the common people.

“What stood out for me was the costumes, how they were long and they flowed in all kinds of ways. It added a lot of grace to the dance. The colours are very bright and striking and very strong,” she said.

As well as a live orchestra, Shen Yun features solo bel canto singers—another aspect of Shen Yun that impressed Ms. Parent.

“I really enjoyed the music. The voices of the soprano and the tenor—they were also magnificent,” she said.

“I think the whole show, the singers and all, really pushes you to strive to be bigger, better, and more beautiful. I think that is the big lesson I got from this magnificent show.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Joan Delaney

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s World Company will perform in Montreal until Jan. 9 before going on to Hamilton. 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.