SEATTLE—UX designer turned researcher Jenny Vanauken and Shon Purdy, a school teacher, were stunned by the beauty of Shen Yun Performing Arts when they attended the company’s matinee at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall on April 5, with their family.
“It’s a great memory for our family,” Ms. Vanauken expressed. “It was mind-blowing. The costumes were fantastic, it was really beautiful, and just the skill level blew me away.”
“I really enjoyed the storytelling. Their outfits really contributed to that.”
Mr. Purdy, too, had a wonderful time. He was especially moved by the precision of Shen Yun’s dancers.
“I was most impressed by how precise the choreography was,” he said. “They were so locked in, and they all were just pretty much perfect with their movements, and being in sync with each other was really cool to see.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun artists are highly trained in classical Chinese dance—an art form with a history spanning thousands of years, celebrated for its athleticism and expressive power. What many may not realize is that numerous tumbling techniques often associated with gymnastics and acrobatics actually originate from classical Chinese dance.
According to the company’s website, the classical Chinese dance seen in China today is heavily mixed with military and modern styles. Only at Shen Yun can the audience experience it in its purest form, preserved as it was passed down through generations.
Reflecting on the company’s mission to revive traditional Chinese culture and moral values that were forced to the brink of extinction by the Chinese Communist Party and its spread of atheism, Ms. Vanauken said the artists are doing a beautiful job.
“I think it’s so beautiful. I learned so much about the culture, and I think that [parts of] somebody’s life should not be hidden away; it should be shared,” she said. “I felt a beautiful energy. Yes. from the performers—it was contagious.”
Mr. Purdy agrees, adding that he appreciated Shen Yun’s bilingual hosts, who gave a brief introduction to each piece before the curtain opened.
“I personally don’t know a ton about Chinese culture, so it was just cool to learn a little bit more about it through dance and music. It was great to see,” he shared.
“It was really cool to just hear a little bit about each performance and let us know what was happening. They were making jokes, and it was a really cool atmosphere.”
Ms. Vanauken will for sure tell all her friends and family about her experience at Shen Yun.
“I would definitely recommend,” she said. “Honestly, it’s a masterpiece of human efforts, working together. Their coordination with the music and their performing arts— just really great to see people come together.”
