ESCONDIDO, Calif.—“It’s fantastic! It’s beautiful! It’s a beautiful culture, and it’s totally displayed in the dance and the music, and I particularly like the ethnic dances, because I like the ethnic part of cultures,” professor Darlene Suarez exclaimed.

Dr. Darlene Suarez, a retired cultural anthropology professor at California State San Marcos and Palomar College, attended a sold-out performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s performance, at the California Center for the Arts, on Feb. 28.

Shen Yun, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, is an independent, non-profit, New York-based organization formed in 2006 by a group of artists with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture through music and dance.

According to the Shen Yun website, “Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture. Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired.”

“These dances give dramatic portrayal to the cherished stories of past and present. Their figures embody the most exalted virtues of Chinese civilization, and convey a message or moral that is still relevant in our day,” the website explains.

Dr. Suarez had high praise for the Shen Yun orchestra: “The music is wonderful! The way they blend it, the East and the West, it’s fantastic! In fact, I’d like to get some of the music that you have for sale.”

“The Shen Yun Orchestra combines the spirit, beauty, and distinctiveness of Chinese music with the precision, power, and grandeur of the Western symphony orchestra. The result—two great traditions producing one refreshing sound,” per the website.

Dr. Suarez marveled at the Shen Yun costumes, as well. “Fantastic! Beautiful costumes! And I particularly like the way the landscape is incorporated into the dance, it’s fantastic to look at.”

Shen Yun’s costume artists tailor hundreds of new pieces each season, adding brilliant color to the dances. The website explains: “Every detail is given meticulous attention and is a result of artistic inspiration and careful polishing.”

“I highly recommend it to anybody who hasn’t seen it,” Dr. Suarez said. “You have to see it. [You] have to absolutely see it. It’s fantastic, it’s beautiful, it’s a beautiful culture, and it’s totally displayed in the dance and the music.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Thanh Le

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.