“I was trying to figure out how the ladies do that. So I was in the lobby trying to walk like they do. They’re so graceful,” Vivien, a classical guitarist, said with a laugh.

Her husband, Ed Carroll, is a French horn player and the one who pointed out how Vivien “was already practicing how to walk so gracefully” in the lobby. His observation came after he heard her describe her deep feelings about New York-based Shen Yun and about why the company cannot perform in China today, the homeland of their cultural origin.

Shen Yun is reviving traditional Chinese culture through such ancient and technically-challenging art forms such as classical Chinese dance, bel canto vocal music, original orchestral compositions, and more.

“I think the show is very impressive. The dancers are phenomenal, and the orchestra is extraordinary, and it’s a very spiritual show,” he continued.

“I loved the technically crisp music,” Vivien chimed in. “The trumpet player—crazy good. And I do love that they want to express human kindness. And that’s something that’s really important and to acknowledge your Creator is very important. And so tie it to the music, which is our passion ... to tie that with faith and then the beauty of the dance. And the ladies and the men are, the ladies are graceful and it’s beautiful to watch.”

“Obviously the musicians are very talented and professional,” he said. “And, like I was explaining to my wife when we came down to look at the pit, they have a very big sound. They sound like a complete orchestra to me, even though the instrumentation isn’t quite as much as a complete orchestra, they sound like a complete orchestra.”

Shen Yun incorporates Eastern and Western instruments together for an effect that is unique in the classical music world. According to Shen Yun’s website, “First, the Western orchestra serves as a foundation, accentuating the distinct sound of Chinese instruments. Second, the bedrock of soul-stirring melodies from the ancient Middle Kingdom is fully brought to life by a Western symphony. This is what makes Shen Yun’s music unique and is a new frontier in classical music.”

Ed had words of gratitude for Shen Yun’s artists and the event organizers: “We enjoy it very much. Thank you, thank you [Shen Yun] for coming.”