SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Austin Couple Awed by Shen Yun’s Grace and Incredible Production

Jan 03, 2026

1/3/2026Updated: 1/3/2026

AUSTIN, Texas—A couple attending Shen Yun’s opening performance in Austin on Jan. 2 initially came out of a long-standing family interest in dance—but left having discovered much more, falling in love with many other elements of the production as well.

“Incredible—very powerful,” said John Clements, owner of an accounting firm, after watching Shen Yun with his wife, Shilo Clements, at The Long Center for the Performing Arts.

This was the couple’s first time attending Shen Yun. “I think it’s great. Very impressed,” Mr. Clements said. He explained that their daughters grew up studying dance, which was one of the reasons he wanted to attend. “I wanted to come here and see the different [art forms], the story of the [Chinese] culture, which has been great.”

Mr. Clements said he fell in love with the culture, describing it as “very, very nice.” Mrs. Clements shared his enthusiasm, calling the experience beautiful and amazing, and summing it up as “perfection.”

Praising the excellence of the production, Mr. Clements recalled being immediately struck by the opening scene. “I saw the fog coming into the orchestra—that was very incredible,” he said. “Very powerful.”

The opening piece depicts the Creator calling upon multitudes of divine beings to descend to Earth. The “fog” Mr. Clements described is a rolling mist that heightens the sense of divine beauty within the celestial realm.

He also praised the live orchestra, saying that “the orchestra has timed perfectly, sounds great,” and described the tenor’s performance as “very powerful.”

Mrs. Clements said she was amazed by Shen Yun’s digital backdrops. “I love the interaction,” she said. “I like the screen to the stage and the stage back into the screen. That is so amazing.”

Shen Yun’s high-tech animated backdrops seamlessly synchronize with the live performance on stage, creating a visually engaging experience. Moreover, they often bring big surprises and amusement to the audience.

Mrs. Clements was particularly intrigued by one rapid onstage transformation. “That was so fast,” she said. “I was like, wait, wait, wait ... go back. I gotta see again. Very good.”

She also commented on the artists themselves, saying, “Your work ethic must be amazing—impeccable.”

The couple said they would strongly recommend the performance. “It’s a must-see,” said Mr. Clements. Mrs. Clements added that Shen Yun is a show to “come back” to in the years ahead.

Reporting by Nancy Ma and Olivia Li.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.