FOLSOM, Calif.—Susan Johnson, a retired owner of a landscape commercial construction company, and her husband, Bob Johnson, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Harris Center on Jan. 7.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

“I have always had an affinity for Asian culture. I love Asian culture,” Ms. Johnson said. “Looking at the whole [performance] all the way to the end, it’s like we’re all of one being ... and we should love one another. It’s just common sense.”

“I think the music resets your brain,” Ms. Johnson said.

“I love that. It’s amazing she could make those sounds out of such a simple-looking instrument,” Ms. Johnson said. “That’s beautiful.”

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“We talked about going home and doing exercises to be as flexible as those dancers,” Mr. Johnson said.

Shen Yun uses classical Chinese dance to tell stories from China’s five millennia. Its dance stories also portray the modern true story of Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted for their faith in China. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice that teaches the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

“We’re both Christians,” Mr. Johnson said. “A lot of the things that they say go very close to Christianity.”