SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Spartanburg Audience Wowed by Shen Yun

May 08, 2025

5/8/2025Updated: 5/10/2025

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Cythnia Koconis and Ed Koconis came to Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium to enjoy Shen Yun Performing Arts on May 7.

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.

“It was fabulous. The costumes and the dancing and the way they twirled. [I was] watching their arms and their legs. They’re amazing. ... I want to go home and twirl and dance and be part of the Chinese culture,” said Cynthia Koconis, a massage therapist.

Before the start of each season, Shen Yun’s artists rehearse and pick at every detail until they are sure they can give the audience their best.

“The synchronicity—they just move together. I can’t believe the hours that they probably spend rehearsing, and the logistics of doing the show have got to be amazing,” Ms. Koconis.

Shen Yun uses its art to tell stories from Chinese history, literature, myth, and legend. Many of the stories involve a deep respect for the divine.

“It was very spiritual, even more than I had thought. The whole history was amazing,” said Ed Koconis, a city planner.

One of the stories depicted the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in present-day China. Falun Gong practitioners follow the principles of Truth, Compassion, Forbearance, but the Chinese Communist Party has been persecuting this peaceful group for over two decades.

“We need more kindness in this world. It’s sad to see what happened to China and what’s happening here. The culture and the people are amazing. I’ve studied it and I love it,” Ms. Koconis said.

Ms. Koconis is a proponent of speaking out for what you believe in, and she shared her support for Shen Yun’s efforts to spread the truth on current events in China.

“I am a demonstrator for what we need to do in this country. I believe in the people standing up for what we need to do. I’m very proud of [Shen Yun] for what they do,” Ms. Koconis said.

Shen Yun’s live orchestra is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble. One instrument that shone under the spotlight was the two-stringed erhu.

“It’s amazing. Everything she could do with two strings. I was blown away,” Mr. Koconis said.

Mr. Koconis gave his compliments to Shen Yun, saying that the performance is beyond the performances he’s seen before.