MESA, Ariz.—Four-time Grammy award-winning singer Cassandra Ewer attended Shen Yun’s evening performance on Feb. 16, at the Ikeda Theater with her mother and composer husband Richard.
Exactly one year ago, Ms. Ewer’s stepfather was in an accident that eventually took his life—it was also his birthday. “We went to dinner together to celebrate his birthday and to miss him. Then [my mom] bought tickets for us to come to [Shen Yun,]” Ms. Ewer recounted.
“What I really loved [about the show]—because we’ve lost two of our children as well—were those moments where angels would come from the heavens. Missing a loved one and seeing them again—that was really moving. It was meaningful and beautiful for us.”
As a fellow singer, Ms. Ewer was impressed by the talent of Shen Yun’s vocalist. “He not only had great stage presence, but he also had very strong and good support to carry his high notes—a very nice range and smoothness all the way from the bottom to the top.”
“[The music] was very beautifully synchronized with everything that was happening. The dancing and the special effects were so perfectly put together. Very impressive,” Ms. Ewer exclaimed.
From a composer’s standpoint, Mr. Ewer added that he enjoyed Shen Yun’s blend of ancient Chinese instruments with a full Western orchestra. “It was beautiful music. A nice combination and very impressive that everything is new every year.”
“The idea that we’re immortal beings, that we have a divine purpose—that was beautiful,” Ms. Ewer said. “There was a thread through all of it—of people trying to do good and to fight evil. We should knock down bullies and rescue those who need help. That was very lovely.”
For Mr. Ewer, his biggest takeaway from Shen Yun was the “hope to keep striving to achieve my own kind of perfection in the arts, in life, and also spiritually.”
“[I have] a renewed determination to go on and improve—to do good and do better.”
