SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘We Loved Every Moment’ of Shen Yun, Says North Carolina Theatergoer

Feb 21, 2026

2/21/2026Updated: 2/21/2026

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Financial analyst Andrew Ward and Lori Luu, who works in counseling, were stunned by the talent and skill of Shen Yun Performing Arts while attending the company’s evening show on Feb. 20, at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

“Usually, I’m a musical person, and I'll pay attention to every instrument in the orchestra, but I was so captivated by the experience of what was going on stage,” Mr. Ward said.

“It all blended in a beautiful way for me. For [Shen Yun] to take me out of the musical side of it is to say a lot. The performance was amazing.”

He especially enjoyed the opening piece, which depicted celestial beings descending from heaven to pass down traditions and culture to the people on Earth.

“The opening sequence of them dancing in the clouds was very captivating,” he said. “It was enchanting. It took me back to childhood movies … it was very cool.”

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. Ward loved that Shen Yun conveys ancient and present-day stories through dance and music, without any dialogue at all.

“It was very innovative. I’m lost for words,” he shared. The most memorable “part of it was the integration of technology, traditional dance, and then a little bit of a breakup with classical music. I’m a big music fan, and having a little bit of the singing with the instrumental and the piano player was fantastic. That was a joy for me. I wasn’t expecting it.”

The singers were “very, very good. The tenor had such a beautiful voice and the soprano, she was so good as well She blew my mind.”

Highly trained in the classic bel canto style, known for producing the most beautiful and pure tone of voice, Shen Yun singers bring original songs to the stage that delve into the deeper meanings of life.

Ms. Luu particularly enjoyed the Manchurian ethnic dance where the Qing Dynasty court ladies balanced gracefully on flower-vase shoes.

“So beautiful,” she said. “They were all in sync, and then their feet move so fast, but their body was so still, really cool. It’s like they were floating.”

“I’ve never seen a show like this before. I really, really enjoyed it and how it went throughout time and the different [regions of China].”

Mr. Ward believes Shen Yun’s mission is very important and appreciates that the artists are reviving traditions while raising awareness for the ongoing human rights struggles in present-day China. For this reason, the artists are currently banned by the communist regime from performing in China.

“It’s a very bold effort, and I think it’s a necessary effort,” he said. “It’s important that this troupe is expressing that history in an artistic form that’s very, very tasteful. I wish people in China could see it, but I’m glad that they’re sharing it with the rest of the world.”

Finally, he would like to extend his gratitude to all the performers.

“Thank you so much for dedicating your lives to entertaining us and educating us,” Mr. Ward shared. “Your passion and your commitment to your art is definitely noticed and respected, and we loved every moment of it.”

Reporting by Maggie Xie 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.