SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s ‘Quality Is Exceptional,’ Says Retired Company Director

Feb 28, 2026

2/28/2026Updated: 2/28/2026

GOLD COAST, Australia—Retired company director Michael Walsh and Roma Joy, a retired teacher, celebrated Ms. Joy’s birthday by attending Shen Yun Performing Arts’ matinee on Feb. 28, at the HOTA Home of the Arts.

The couple had a wonderful time. It was Ms. Joy’s second time seeing Shen Yun, and once again, she was moved to tears by the beauty of the performance.

“Sensational and amazing,” she said. The dance, the costume, the stories—it’s moving, it’s brilliant. The colors, the movement—sensational.”

Mr. Walsh, too, said Shen Yun’s “quality is exceptional.”

“I’ve seen a lot of classical dance and ballet and modern dance and orchestra, but this is different,” he added. “It has a great tradition, so I’m very happy that they’re keeping it going. It’s very entertaining.”

The New York-based Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party.

For 5,000 years, China’s civilization flourished under the shared belief that the divine will bless those who uphold traditional moral values. Tragically, within just a few decades of the communist party’s violent takeover, these beliefs were erased and replaced with atheism.

The artists’ mission is to return to the world’s stage the glory and beauty of China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture.

Mr. Walsh was particularly mesmerized by the company’s use of 3D technology, which seamlessly interacts with dancers on stage to create magical illusions that enhance the storytelling.

“I haven’t seen the use of the digital imaging done so well before,” he praised. “We’re trying to work out how they switch from digital to the live stage. I’ve never seen that before. It’s wonderful.”

Having just finished reading an anthropology book about China’s various dynasties, Mr. Walsh was delighted to see elements of that portrayed on stage.

He appreciated the artists’ effort to revive traditional culture and felt sad that this divine-inspired heritage has been systematically destroyed by the Chinese Communist Party and its spread of atheism.

“If you compare it to Rome or Greece or the Macedonian—the Chinese dynasties were the longest ever period of civilization. So, it’s important to capture that,” he said. “I’m just enjoying it.”

“I know a little bit about the history [of communist China], and that’s a shame. I don’t think there’s anything to be afraid of from maintaining our culture.”

Though Shen Yun has received widespread acclaim and success in the 20 years since its founding, the artists continue to face harassment and threats from Chinese communist agents around the world. They are also banned from performing in China.

Ms. Joy was very moved by the lyrics of Shen Yun’s soprano solo. Highly trained in the classic Bel Canto style, known for producing the most beautiful and pure tone of voice, Shen Yun singers perform original compositions that explore the deeper meanings of life

“There were some beautiful words,” she said. “When you seek the truth, when you are aware, you find the truth—I thought, ‘Oh gosh, that resonated.’ It’s always about seeking the knowledge to find the truth. [We need to] keep on seeking that knowledge.”

Given the chance to speak with Shen Yun artists, Ms. Joy said she would be “lost for words.”

“I would bow to them and thank them for their bravery to be here and for what they’ve gone through and how they’ve left their country,” she shared.

“I honor them. To bring this performance to us—I find it really humbling and very emotional.”

Reporting by Jing Li and Jennifer Tseng.

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