PORTLAND, Ore.—Founder and Director of Swimbabes, Jackie Young, asked the reporter to keep her off the camera because “I don’t want to cry,” she said.
“It just really touched my heart … I think it is marvelous,” said Ms. Young, who is famous for her teaching infant swimming for the past 46 years. She is also an international speaker on Infant/Toddler Swim Survival Safety.
Ms. Young was filled with emotions after watching New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts at Keller Auditorium in downtown Portland on March, 30, 2015.
In fact, she became excited when she first heard Shen Yun’s music on a trailer on the Internet. “I’ve got to have that music,” she said of her thoughts at the time.
An integral part of a Shen Yun performance is the Shen Yun Orchestra, which has been praised by audience members world-wide.
“The orchestra is amazing,” Mr. Young said. “The blend of East and West is beautiful.”
“I have got the CD and the DVD that I am taking home,” she continued. “I am going to play it throughout the Easter season. It will be lovely.”
Ms. Young appreciated that during the songs, the lyrics were projected on the screen. They “had a strong message—beautiful, absolutely incredible,” she said.
“For 5,000 years divine culture flourished in the land of China,” reads Shen Yun website. “Humanity’s treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture.”
Ms. Young felt strongly that “no culture should be stifled and persecuted.”
Speaking about the spiritual themes of the performance, Ms. Young said, “There is a spiritual message—oh my goodness—very spiritual message.” She noted especially “that there is hope, that there is a Renaissance coming, and it has already started, of course.”
“I think Shen Yun is definitely making an impact because people are listening with a new ear,” she added. “I think that [it] is important to hear with a new ear.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Nataly Teplitsky
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006
