HOUSTON—On Dec. 26, Houston Council Member Edward Pollard attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ first show at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts. He brought with him a Certificate of Recognition honoring the company’s 20th anniversary.
In the certificate, Mr. Pollard wrote, “For two decades, Shen Yun has been a beacon of artistic excellence, preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of classical Chinese culture through music, dance, and storytelling.”
“The Houston City Council and the residents of our great city, proudly honor Shen Yun Performing Arts for its extraordinary contributions to Houston’s cultural vibrancy, its commitment to artistic mastery, and its continued dedication to sharing world-class performances with our community year after year.”
Founded in New York in 2006, Shen Yun was established by elite artists who fled persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. Their mission is to return to the world’s stage the glory and beauty of pre-communist China and the country’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture.
To celebrate the start of the company’s 2026 world tour, more than 30 Texas officials sent greetings and congratulatory letters, including a resolution signed separately by Sen. Borris L. Miles, Rep. Ron Reynolds, Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Rep. Terry Meza, and Rep. Christian Manuel.
They commended the company for remaining “steadfast in its efforts to share the richness of traditional Chinese culture, and in so doing, it has provided an inspiring example of resilience and artistry that has resonated with people of all ages, beliefs, and backgrounds.”
After experiencing the evening’s performance firsthand, Mr. Pollard said it was incredible to see the artists back in Houston for the 18th year. He said he thought they did an excellent job.
“The dancers were incredible. They were so precise. They were so technical. You saw the emotion of each different performance from past history all the way to the present. It was a great journey,” he said.
“The orchestra was great. All of the different sounds and the music that they were able to provide while the dancers were performing went perfect. A big shout-out goes to the MCs as well, they really explained what we were watching, the importance and historical history of each dance, and I thought it was just excellent all around.”
Using classical Western orchestration as the foundation, Shen Yun’s original compositions highlight traditional Chinese instruments such as the two-stringed erhu and the pipa—an ancient Chinese lute, bringing to its audience the best of both worlds. Mr. Pollard also appreciated the performers’ emphasis on reviving traditional culture and spiritual values that are fading in the modern world.
“It was great because it really brought a sense of faith to the performances and purpose behind each dance,” he said. “It was more than just dancing. It was about us as human beings having traditional values, making sure that we understand our greater purpose, and the dancers really reflected that.”
Commenting on the artists’ use of performing arts to shed light on the ongoing persecution faced by people of faith under Chinese communist rule, Mr. Pollard said it was “very significant.”
“It’s a way they can showcase not only their talent but their own history of what they lived through to be able to share with others,” he said. “They were able to persevere beyond those trying times and turn those negatives into a positive.”
This season, Shen Yun’s eight touring companies are bringing their stunning performances to over 200 cities worldwide. With a brand-new program each year, the company’s 20th anniversary marks another season full of fresh surprises for both first-time and returning audiences alike.
For those who have yet to experience Shen Yun, Mr. Pollard said: “Seeing it on videos or hearing about it does not do it justice. You have to come and see it with your own eyes, and I guarantee you, you won’t be disappointed.”
