TORONTO–Music is a way of life for Allan Pulker–a professional musician, music teacher, and publisher of the magazine ‘TheWholeNote,’ a guide to Southern Ontario’s live music scene. But when he attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at Sony Centre on Thursday, he experienced a whole new musical genre–one that he says is paving the way for future generations of musicians.
“The music was quite exhilarating. It was very exciting, upbeat, and fun, and really, really well done,” he said after the April 21 performance.
“I almost sense there’s the beginning of a culture. I think there’s a huge promise musically for something completely new to appear in our midst here in Canada,” he said.
Shen Yun’s unique orchestra blends traditional Chinese instruments with Western ones. The music acts as a soundtrack of sorts to the story-based classical Chinese dances, which aim to revive China’s 5,000 year old semi-divine culture.
Mr. Pulker said the art form was highly unique and groundbreaking.
“I think we need to start a school in Toronto that teaches this art form, really,” he said.
“I'd love it if my granddaughters and grandsons could learn how to do this.”
New York-based Shen Yun has been working to revive traditional Chinese culture, through classical Chinese art forms since its inception in 2006. The company trains its elite dancers and musicians at Fei Tian Academy of the Arts, located on a picturesque hillside campus in the mountains of upstate New York.
Mr. Pulker was inspired by Shen Yun’s mission, saying it has timeless relevance.
“I see the blend of the old and the new looking back, but also a looking ahead and a great optimism in keeping this, or reviving [it], really, and bringing this art to life as a contemporary living art form, not just something from the past,” he said.
“This whole aspect of inclusivity that I feel from Chinese culture I think could really manifest in our time and blossom,” he said.
Mr. Pulker’s colleague David Perlman, co-publisher and chief editor of TheWholeNote magazine, said Shen Yun’s artistry was beautiful and emotional.
“The [dances] all have a different energy. There are some that are funny, some that are beautifully lyrical and expressive. There’s a big range of different emotions, different expressions,” he said, adding the experience was thought-provoking.
“You go away thinking [and] you'll have a good time along the way,” he said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Justina Wheale
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company is currently touring Eastern Canada. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
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.
