SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Audience Member: ‘It Takes a Lot of Skill to Be That Graceful’

Apr 02, 2026

4/2/2026Updated: 4/2/2026

NEW YORK—Hanna Deglin and Jonathan Vadnos saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 1 at The David H. Koch Theater.

“They were amazing. They were beautiful. And the acrobatics and the movement, and I loved how the costume played into the dancing. So you don’t really see that that often,” said Ms. Deglin, a fashion designer.

Shen Yun is based in New York, and its artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“I was originally a figure skater when I was younger. So seeing a lot of the similar things that we did to train and the beautiful movements was a lot of fun,” Ms. Deglin said.

Shen Yun’s website states that classical Chinese dance training includes three main components—technical skill, form, and bearing, which is one of the many ways that classical Chinese dance is different from ballet.

“It takes a lot of skill to be that graceful and have the skills and the trust and the ability to do those movements. So that was really appreciated,” Ms. Deglin said.

The costumes in Shen Yun were designed by Shen Yun’s artistic director, D.F. The attire is historically appropriate to each dynasty being depicted and has often been described as the attire worn in the heavens.

“I thought they were great. I liked how some of them were versatile. They worked with the dances and with the movements of the dancers. I looked at all the sparkles and where they were placed, and how the music went with the costumes,” Ms. Deglin said.

Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The technology’s versatility allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“I really enjoyed the immersive screen and how they incorporated the dancers and the showmanship into that as well. It was a lot of fun,” Ms. Deglin said.

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“I thought the music was fantastic. … Having a live orchestra was something that I normally don’t get a chance to see in performances. So I thought it was beautiful,” Mr. Vadnos said.

Shen Yun’s two Masters of Ceremony provide brief introductions for each piece so that even those who are unfamiliar with Chinese culture can follow along.

“I really enjoyed the MC and the hostess. The two individuals that led the show and described what was going on in the show. I thought they were very personable, a little funny, which was good,” Mr. Vadnos said.

Reporting by NTD and Maria Han.

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