HOUSTON—Before attending Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 14 at the CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center, company vice president Jeff Thornbrugh had only seen the company’s commercials and wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the live performance.

“It’s lovely,” he praised. I didn’t realize how colorful and beautiful the dancers were—their costumes, and the music—it’s incredible. I love it.”

According to the company website, the name “Shen Yun” translates directly into “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” Mr. Thornbrugh couldn’t agree more.

The dancers “are beautiful,” he emphasized. “It’s incredible, it’s beautiful, it’s very acrobatic—I love how they’re in tune [with each other and] all move in the same direction. They’re wonderful.”

For millennia, Chinese civilization was deeply spiritual, with daily life guided by the teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. In the decades after the communist regime seized power, however, much of this traditional culture was pushed to the brink of extinction.

Mr. Thornbrugh was especially struck by the sense of tranquility the performance conveyed and felt inspired to learn more about traditional Chinese culture.

“It’s very calming,” he said. “It’s like it’s almost like when I do yoga—it makes me feel calm, very centered. I want to learn more about the culture, it’s very inspirational.”

“I think everybody should come see this,” he said. “It’s moving [and] very emotional.”