PHILADELPHIA—Shen Yun Performing Arts received an enthusiastic reception at the Merriam Theater on April 27.

In the audience, former dancer and certified Pilates Instructor Bernadette Giorgi, was deeply moved watching Shen Yun and said it was a “very emotional” experience.

Classical Chinese dance forms the basis of Shen Yun’s performance to conveying the richness of the 5,000-year-old traditional Chinese culture, and is “at the heart of what Shen Yun does,” according to the company’s website.

This expressive cultural art form has influenced countless dance forms and even imparted its flips and tumbling techniques to gymnastics. Alongside ballet, it is one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

Having trained at Philadelphia’s prestigious Academy of Dance, Ms. Giorgi was deeply impressed at the artistry and level of skill of the Shen Yun dancers.

“I just loved it. It is amazing,” she said.

Another audience member, piano teacher Elsie Rail, was swept away by what she called the “extravagant” music in Shen Yun.

Performing original compositions, Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra “blends two of the world’s greatest musical traditions, Chinese and Western,” according the the program.

Ms. Rail, who has privately tutored piano for many years, was inspired by the orchestra’s harmonious sound from the two musical systems.

“Marvelous. It was really worth it,” she said.

Reporting by Genjie, Lijie and Rosemary Byfield