SAN JOSE, Calif.—Vicki Aja, a licensed marriage and family therapist, drove with her family from Modesto to see Shen Yun Performing Arts’ first performance of the season in North America.

“The message is of just incredible history, and I think just the preservation of culture is really important. Sometimes we forget there’s a lot of history, because in modern times, we forget it’s [been] thousands of years,” she said after watching Shen Yun at the Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 24.

“I am just really impressed with ... not just the dancing, but the choreography is really fantastic—and the colors. And I even liked how you incorporated the digital component. I think that’s really great. The choreography is outstanding,” Ms. Aja said.

Throughout Shen Yun’s performance, traditional values such as filial piety, kindness, truthfulness, and loyalty are present on stage through dance. Ms. Aja expressed her belief that modern technology has distracted us from the values that matter.

She especially emphasized her concern for the younger generation and their attachment to electronic devices. She hopes that traditional culture can be kept alive.

“It’s important to keep that alive as much as we can, because especially for young people with technology—sometimes they get distracted. It’s just really beautiful to have a memory of so much tradition and the beautiful Chinese culture. I think it’s magnificent. Great job. And thank you so much,” Ms. Aja said.