JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.—The past few years have been difficult for everyone, and although things are gradually going back to normal, a reminder that there is still beauty in life can go a long way.

“It was just worth the trip to get here,” said Mr. White. “With the past couple of years being cooped up inside with everything going on, to get out and to see something that reminds you about the beauty of life and just learning about getting out there and being surrounded by people and learning different cultures and everything in the world. It was an amazing experience.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists, who made it their mission to revive traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance and music. Throughout the years, Shen Yun has gone from one to eight equally-sized companies that tour the world simultaneously. Each company has its own orchestra, which combines traditional Chinese and Western instruments.

“I’m a huge orchestra person, so the music for me is a big thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a live orchestra. Getting back into there, and just to see the amazing choreography that they do with the dancers to make sure that every detail is done to precision, is just unbelievable.”

“I could have listened to that the whole night by itself,” he said. “I just loved the way that sounds.”

The song lyrics, which urged a return to tradition, were thought-provoking Mr. White as well.

“I thought the songs were really, really well done. I thought the lyrics were really beautiful and something that can really sync with you when you think about the words they are singing … When you read the words and what they mean, it just really makes you reflect on everything going on.”