LUBBOCK, Texas—On the evening of Jan. 6, Paul Scioli and his wife, Sharon Scioli, attended Shen Yun’s opening performance at The Buddy Holly Hall. After the performance, the couple described their experience.

“It was absolutely beautiful. I thought it was magical, and the artistry was simply amazing,” Mr. Scioli said. “People need to understand that when artists put forth that kind of effort, it’s something to respect, something to appreciate, and something to look forward to.”

Mr. Scioli is a well-known financial planning expert in Lubbock, a partner at PFG Advisors, and the founder of The Scioli Group.

He said he was deeply moved by the beauty conveyed through Shen Yun’s artistic expression. “I see the value of the beauty of expression and the enjoyment of life in this world,” he said.

The song lyrics helped him gain a deeper understanding of China’s traditional values, which resonated strongly with him, especially in contrast with modern-day China.

“The more you look at China’s history and how it was taken over, and the fact that people are being oppressed in terms of their artistic talent, is a very frustrating thing,” he said. “So to be able to experience this and truly appreciate it is a beautiful thing.”

“It’s amazing that Chinese people have been robbed of that vision, purpose, and the religious connectivity,” he said. “I think that the Chinese culture has been bastardized because of what they are today versus what they were. And what they were was such a beautiful culture, and they’ve all been robbed of that.”

Reflecting on the final piece, which depicts the Creator’s salvation during times of peril, Mr. Scioli said he believed hope and joy were the true themes of the performance, despite the sacrifices and suffering portrayed.

Mrs. Scioli summed up her impression with equal enthusiasm.

Mrs. Scioli also brought several of her friends. After seeing Shen Yun, she said he feels that no one should miss it. “It’s fabulous, and I want everyone to see it,” she said.