<![CDATA[Shen Yun Performing Arts Special Coverage]]>

<![CDATA[Shen Yun Performing Arts Special Coverage]]> http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/special/shen-yun/index.html <![CDATA[“It Represents China”—Shen Yun in Frankfurt]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:42:00 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-15/125377458701.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts had its first of three shows in Frankfurt, Germany on Friday, March 12, at the Jahrhunderthalle. Audience members had a chance to experience and learn about Chinese culture.

[Mrs. Trabert, Audience Member]:

“It represents China. It matches very well, it represents the culture. I found it very fitting, quite terrific.”

[Mr. Pietsch, Audience Member]:

“How I liked the show? I can’t find the words. So much harmony in connection with music and movement—we don’t know this here in Europe. We actually had another image of China, and I believe our opinion and our knowledge about China has turned around today.”

In some dances, the show gives insight into human rights violations happening in China today. Here’s what a couple of audience members commented on those dances.

[Mrs. Pietsch, Audience Member]:

“I think, people here in Europe often close their eyes to the inhuman things that are happening there. And the dance has expressed this all so wonderfully that I am absolutely filled with enthusiasm.”

[Martin Lessenthin, Spokesperson, International Society for Human Rights]:

“We are completely enchanted with this evening and touched by the stories, told with dance, and about the message itself. We find this connection with Chinese culture, the expression of this culture, but also the message of concern for human rights quite excellent.”

NTD News, Frankfurt, Germany.

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<![CDATA[German Officials Praise Shen Yun in Frankfurt]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:37:19 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-15/890743115452.html

[Dr. Michael Meister, Member of German Parliament]:

“My visit has been worth it—that I came here tonight. It had an enormous variety of different cultural areas of China. And I must say, the harmony, the rhythm in the dances was wonderful. And it gave an excellent impression because, up to now, I didn't know this form of culture before.”

Dr. Meister shared his thoughts about what he liked best about the show.

[Dr. Michael Meister, Member of German Parliament]:

“Based on the costumes and the presentation, it was the dance from Tibet that I liked best. But the technology that was used was very impressive—where the music, the dance on the stage and the screen played together, it was just perfection.”

Dr. Meister also talked about the message he got from the show.

[Dr. Michael Meister, Member of German Parliament]:

“I think it was a great call, that each individual may live their personal life, their personal stance. It was a call for individual freedom.”

A Member of the European Parliament, Thomas Mann also says that “freedom” was a key element expressed in the dances about the Chinese regime’s persecution of the Falun Gong spiritual practice.

[Thomas Mann, Member of European Parliament]:

“It was very impressive. If one stands up for freedom of speech and then gets beaten up for it and cannot express oneself, or when minorities are persecuted. I can say this about the Tibetans, but Falun Gong is also being forced into a corner again and again…Therefore this is very important—freedom of thought, freedom of speech, religious freedom are all essential elements which we need... And I think all people were enthusiastic and many, many curtain calls had to be made, because people didn't want to stop applauding.”

NTD News, Frankfurt, Germany.

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<![CDATA["It was just phenomenal" - Composer on Shen Yun in Louisville]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:40:27 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-12/627991968195.html

Tuba player Brandon Neal is studying wind band and orchestra conducting at the University of Louisville School of Music. He saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.

[Brandon Neal, Tuba Player]:
“It had a very spiritual feeling to it, the music. I guess, it was like very enrapturing, it just pulls you in to the dance and I felt like even though we weren’t doing anything in the audience we felt a part of something, even though we really didn’t have a clue of what it was.”

[Nicole Boguslaw, Cellist]:
“It gives you a lot of understanding too in to what the culture and a lot of ideas that I didn’t really know anything about beforehand.”

A local radio producer took his wife to see the show.

[Jamie Guillory, Radio Producer]:
“Wonderful music here, beautiful costumes. A lot of creativity and a lot of hard work goes in to this from what we can see.”

[Doris Guillory, Song Composer]:
“The design, the dancers, I mean it was just 100 percent, everything. It was. You could tell all the workmanship that went in to and the time that was put in. It was just phenomenal…Just the whole arrangement of everything about the whole show. The arrangement of the colors, the backdrops. Everything just went together smoothly and it showed so much love and it showed family and unity and culture and all the things that’s so beautiful out there and you just don’t see that much anymore. And it was just absolutely beautiful.”

NTD News, Louisville, Kentucky.

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<![CDATA[Yokohama City Council Member: "Shen Yun is the Original Image of China"]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:38:39 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-12/082252105737.html

Several council members came to see Shen Yun perform in Yokohama City.

Tokyo council member Koichiro Yoshida came all the way from Tokyo to see the show.

[Koichiro Yoshida, Tokyo Council Member]:
“(The background) screen can show you things you can’t do on stage, for example, show an explosion. The screen and the stage was combined very well, a kind of technique, which really has originality and widens the range of expression.”

Koichiro shared his concern about the lack of freedom in China after seeing a dance in Shen Yun depicting a practitioner of Falun Gong appealing for freedom of conscience.

[Koichiro Yoshida, Tokyo Council Member]:
“Currently, the Chinese government doesn’t acknowledge freedom of thought, belief, or religion. I really think that China has problems nowadays. It shouldn’t be like this.”

Other council members also expressed their wish for a freer China.

[Masao Obata, Yokohama City Council Member]:
“I pray from my heart for China to be a free country... a democratic, and a more independence loving nation."

Yoshinori Kanno, Yokohama council member, saw the beauty of ancient China in Shen Yun.

[Yoshinori Kanno, Yokohama City Council Member]:
“(Shen Yun) is really beautiful. I’ve always loved the traditional ancient China… because it’s the origin of civilization. (Shen Yun) is the original image of China, the beautiful image of China. I really love it. We Japanese yearn to see a wonderful China and I saw it in the show. It’s really wonderful.”

Shen Yun will travel south to Hiroshima to perform two shows on March 12.

NTD News, Yokohama, Japan.

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<![CDATA["The Costumes are Incredible" - Shen Yun in Indianapolis]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:36:28 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-11/461309260159.html

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts continued its Midwest tour with a two-show run at the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis.

[Mr. Haberman, Publisher]:
“Oh, I think it’s fantastic. I think it’s an incredible educational experience for individuals who don’t know much about the culture.”

[Ellen Greenleaf, Marketing Director]:
“And the excitement of the dancers. The beauty of the costumes. The costumes are incredible. And then the music, and I think the audience is just getting more and more excited.”

[Denny O’Malia, Audience Member]:
“Beautiful, the vistas are beautiful. The background is beautiful. And obviously the dancing’s wonderful. Enjoying it very much.”

[Ty Anderson, Audience Member]:
“I mean the artistry, the pageantry. The vibrant colors, I mean the singers. The performance, excellent.”

[Becky Shirley, Audience Member]:
“It was just a really rewarding experience, you know I thought. Very colorful. Just ingenuity was just awesome. It was really nice. I really enjoyed it.”

[Randy Romero, Music Therapist]:
“I felt some healing in some of the music. The sleeve dance, the Tibetan dance, can’t remember exactly, but certain ones really touched my heart and I could feel a peace inside of it.”

NTD News, Indianapolis, Indiana.

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<![CDATA[“Balancing Darkness and Delight”, Shen Yun Performing Arts in Belgium]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:09:52 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-11/979272682102.html

Miss Bitia Rosendor owns an art gallery in Knokke Heist and Brussels and came to see the show together with her family.

[Bitia Rosendor, Art Gallery Owner and Painter]:

“We were very pleased to see it. It’s a marvelous performance. The costumes are extraordinary. And especially the background.”

As a painter, miss Rosendor was very impressed by the graphics on the screen behind the artists.

[Bitia Rosendor, Art Gallery Owner and Painter]:

“The drawbacks were absolutely fantastic. It gave first of all a good background to the dancers and it showed the country which was also an important thing.”

She also went to see other Chinese shows before.

[Bitia Rosendor, Art Gallery Owner and Painter]:

“But this is different. It’s quite a different moment in history too you know. There was nothing political about it. While the other was still more political slogans and so forth.”

She was very pleased to come and see the show.

[Bitia Rosendor, Art Gallery Owner and Painter]:

“I found the colors very good. Marvelous. And I found that the choosing of the actors, all the same size, and the girls so beautiful and the boys so beautiful was very very well done. I found that extraordinarily well done. We were very pleased with it. Thank you.”

Plilp Roger Pinol is an American who lives in Bruges. He came to see the show together with his wife Sofie Vanlancker.

[Philip Roger Pinol, President of Brite Strike Technologies S.A. Luxemburg]:

“I thought the music pretty much, the choreography together with the background and then the different colors of the outfits was very nice. I thought it was very pleasant.”

He said the show created a nice balance between ancient and present China.

[Philip Roger Pinol, President of Brite Strike Technologies S.A. Luxemburg]:

“I thought that it was interesting that several times during the show they brought up the issues that you’re facing in China. So I thought that was quite interesting to bring that to the forefront. And it kind of balanced pretty much the dark side of society together with the delight side and pleasant side.”

Mr. Pinol said he would most certainly come and see the show again next year.

[Philip Roger Pinol, President of Brite Strike Technologies S.A. Luxemburg]:

“I thought it was a great performance and I look forward to seeing something similar, you say that you have a similar performance every year or a you have a different show, so we’ll be back for a while, most certainly.”

Tomorrow evening Shen Yun Performing Arts will give their last show in Belgium. After that they will move to Frankfurt in Germany.

NTD news, Bruges

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<![CDATA["These Guys are Great" Says Pro Wrestler on Shen Yun in Kentucky]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:43:38 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-10/213931714835.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts performed in Louisville, Kentucky on March 7, where people from a variety of backgrounds, including wrestling, came to see the show.

Professional wrestler Josh Diago understands performing, and he says the dancers are great.

[Josh Diago, Professional Wrestler]:
“These dancers are just great. I mean they are really good. Coming from somebody that does it personally with gymnastics and stuff like that, I mean these guys are great.”

Different artists commented on other aspects of the show.

[Barbara Sexton Smith, Executive Vice President, Fund for the Arts]:
“The choreography was absolutely beautiful. The costumes were stunning. And the costumes flowed with each of the performers in a way that you could tell they were using their bodies to express what they were feeling and it was absolutely beautiful.”

[Patricia Lara, Former Violinist]:
“The orchestra was breathtaking. You know it was the thing that you never forget.”

Others are praising the visual aspects of the show.

[Michelle Hendrickson, Audience Member]:

"Oh it's just fabulous! Visually, it's stunning and the music is wonderful. The whole experience is just breathtaking."

[Barbara Sexton Smith, Executive Vice President, Fund for the Arts]:
“The colors exhibited a feeling of freedom.”

Audience member Ms. Cheng was glad to see a Chinese show in the U.S.

[Ms. Cheng, Audience Member]:
“To be able to see a Chinese show in America. It’s very good, I am very moved.”

NTD News, Louisville, Kentucky.

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<![CDATA[Beauty Expert Sees “Heaven's Colors” in Shen Yun]]> Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:34:28 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-09/889363116136.html

Two friends, who are beauty advisors, were amazed by the colors in Shen Yun’s performances. They saw the show at Tokyo’s U-Port Hall.

It was Kiyomi Itako’s first time to see anything like it.

[Kiyomi Itako, Beauty Advisor]:
“The colors (in Shen Yun) don’t exist in Japan…it’s like Heaven’s color, God’s color, they are so incredibly vivid and beautiful. The use of color, it seemed like a Japanese-style could not coordinate it… they were such wonderful colors, so beautiful.”

Kiyomi’s friend, Rie, a mother of three and beauty advisor, was particularly touched by “Splitting the Mountain” where a child rescues his goddess mother after she is imprisoned in a mountain for marrying a mortal human.

[Rie Kure, Beauty Advisor]:
“I have three children and I was so moved… A child’s love for his mother and a mother’s love for her child… these ideas overlap... I cried with tears running down my face… ruining my make up. I’ve had a wonderful opportunity to see Shen Yun today, and even though my makeup may be ruined, I feel like I’ve been given a chance to be touched by God’s art (in Shen Yun).”

Shen Yun Performing Arts continue their tour of Japan. The next show is in Yokohama which has the largest Chinatown in Japan.

NTD News, Tokyo, Japan.

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<![CDATA[“Uplifting and Inspiring” - Shen Yun in Cincinnati, Ohio]]> Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:25:51 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-09/804182594161.html

Choreographer Doni Jessen and marketing director Chris Milligan enjoyed Shen Yun's performance at the Cincinnati Music Hall.

Mr. Milligan was particularly amazed at the skill of the performers.

[Chris Milligan, Marketing Director]:
“The beauty of the dancing was extraordinary. And I thought the singing was great as well. Extraordinary voices … The artistic style, it was a range of all different Chinese cultures.”

Ms. Jessen says the choreography showed the beauty of Chinese culture.

[Doni Jessen, Choreographer]:
“I think it’s an amazing show. The choreography was wonderful, and it depicted what I believe are the most beautiful aspects of Chinese culture.”

Mr. Milligan enjoyed listening to Shen Yun's unique orchestra.

[Chris Milligan, Marketing Director]:
“This is a Western orchestra, blended with Chinese instrumentation as well. It’s a great sound to hear.”

Ms. Jessen says she's amazed by the backdrops.

[Doni Jessen, Choreographer]:
“The backdrops are amazing. In the past the backdrops were made out of wood and now I see that we’ve gone a little more in to technology and utilizing what we have available today and it gives it a lot of 3D dimension, so I enjoyed it a lot.”

Both Ms. Jessen and Mr. Milligan were very glad that they saw the Shen Yun.

[Doni Jessen, Choreographer]:
“I think the audience that I saw was very engaged and happy to be here. I am very happy to have also participated tonight.”

[Chris Milligan, Marketing Director]:
“Overall uplifting and inspiring.”

NTD News, Cincinnati, Ohio.

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<![CDATA[Shen Yun Performing Arts Runs in Amsterdam]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:51:41 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-08/432930372238.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts kicked off its European tour at the Rai theatre in Amsterdam on Friday.

Audience members Marjolein bravenboer and her daughter Roxane Handijk came to see the show for the first time this year and were very impressed by all different aspects of the show.

[Marjolein Bravenboer, Audience Member]:
“I think it is a marvelous show. I like it very very much, beautiful dancing and singing.”

[Roxane Handijk, Audience Member]:
“I really like the outfits. They were very well chosen with every song. Yes, I really loved it.”

Roxane and her mother both perform in musicals, and are very familiar with being on stage themselves. They thought the way the dancers move on stage was very special.

[Marjolein Bravenboer, Audience Member]:
“They’re floating. It’s like they are not walking, like they are flowing around the crowd. It’s beautiful. I like it very much.”

Narena Piersma took her friend, Anneke Booy, to come and see the show for the first time. She said it was a very inspiring show to see.

[Narena Piersma, Audience Member]:
“Inspiring, totally inspiring. Myself, I do ballet dance. But still with this dance, what they do is so energetic and the energy you see in the arms and in the movements and everything and it’s inspiring, totally inspiring so that’s really good yes.”

They were also deeply moved to see how spiritual practice is repressed in the China of today.

[Anneke Booy, Audience Member]:
“I knew about that you couldn’t believe your own faith, you couldn’t practice it. And they put you in prison or whatever, or beat you up, or you can’t go freely to your work. It’s amazing that it’s still happening today.”

[Narena Piersma, Audience Member]:
“Unbelievable.”

For Ms. Piersma, the show couldn’t last too long.

[Narena Piersma, Audience Member]:
“It was almost too short. Like there was this dance and like you see so much ... and then it’s gone and you’re like, wait a second, I didn’t see it yet. So it’s like almost too short to really capture it and really like see it and live it you know.”

Shen Yun Performing arts will stay in Amsterdam for two more shows on Saturday and Sunday.

NTD News, Amsterdam.

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<![CDATA[Dancers Admire Shen Yun’s Cultural Tradition in Japan]]> Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:33:50 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-07/187814709395.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts’ first show in Tokyo, Japan attracted dancers from different backgrounds.

Korean dancer Mun Sun Re saw Shen Yun for the first time this year. She says she was overwhelmed by the artistry.

[Mun Sun Re, Professional Korean Dancer]:
“I thought the artistry was really high. The dancers’ flexibility, ability to leap, expressions, and overall level were overwhelming.”

She admires the Shen Yun dancers for embracing traditional Chinese culture even though they didn’t grow up in China.

[Mun Sun Re, Professional Korean Dancer]:
“The dancers aren’t born and raised in China. Even though they grew up in another country, they are able to cherish their native spirit, dance, and customs, and express it on stage. I am a Korean living in Japan, so I was born and raised here. Although I grew up here, I inherited Korean culture, dance, and art, and I dance it. So I can really identify with them.”

Preserving classical dance is important to folk dancer Yoko Tomizawa. She has performed around the world for over 18 years.

[Yoko Tomizawa, Folk Dancer]:
“It was so wonderful I can’t put it into words. Classical dance is something we can’t lose because it’s a part of a nation. I hope Shen Yun can spread, so the whole world can know about it.”

Shen Yun will be performing in Japan until March 17.

NTD News, Tokyo.

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<![CDATA[Shen Yun Performing Arts Arrives in Europe]]> Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:34:09 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-05/132261783117.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts arrived at Amsterdam‘s Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands early Thursday morning. Some local Shen Yun fans arrived left their homes very early to be at the airport to welcome them.

This is the fourth time Shen Yun has toured Europe.

Choreographer and company manager Vina Lee spoke highly of European audiences.

[Vina Lee, Company Manager & Choreographer]:
"European audiences are very warm, and their appreciation (for art) is also very high. So I think that we are going to connect with them throughout the show. We will give the audience the best gift. Thank you."

Ms. Lee says Shen Yun is not only about performing arts. The show also brings a new outlook for audience members, giving them a new spiritual understanding of China.

Wenxin Wu, chairman of the European Falun Dafa Association, which hosts the show, says every time Shen Yun comes to Europe, they impress European audiences.

[Wenxin Wu, Chairman, European Falun Dafa Association]:
"We expect more audience members will come to see the show and more European people will benefit from Shen Yun both spiritually and mentally."

Before Shen Yun arrived in Amsterdam, the European Parliament in Brussels and some European artists welcomed the performers.

Shen Yun’s first European show is at the RAI Theatre in Amsterdam Friday night.

NTD News, Amsterdam.

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<![CDATA[Shen Yun Debuts in Kawaguchi City Japan]]> Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:33:31 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-05/963175050679.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts had its first performance in Japan at the Kawaguchi Culture Center in Saitama Prefecture on Thursday.

It was audience member Keiko Sakuma’s fourth time seeing Shen Yun since the show debuted in Japan in 2007. She says she’s still impressed by the dancers.

[Keiko Sakuma, Audience Member]:
“Their physical ability is very wonderful. I’m so surprised. I also watch ballet and think their physical ability is good. But Shen Yun’s performers have a different kind of physical ability and are very synchronized. The synchronization also amazed me."

Singer and songwriter Akinori Nakagawa came to the show hoping to see authentic Chinese classical dance.

[Akinori Nakagawa, Singer & Song Writer]:
“To see classical Chinese dance is rare in Japan. Even if I go to China I don't think it's easy to see Mongolian dance or dances from other regions (of China). This chance is rare. I wanted to just once experience the real thing, that’s why I came here today.”

After seeing the performance, Saitama Prefecture parliamentary member Yoshihide Asanome felt it was important to protect people’s freedom around the world as a politician.

[Yoshihide Asanome, Saitama Parliamentary Member]:
“I think that when there are people who shed their tears among us who live happily, we all need to help those crying, we all need to do something for them. That’s what I think of the most as a politician."

Shen Yun’s next stop in Japan is Tokyo, where it will have a four show run beginning Friday night.

NTD News, Saitama, Japan.

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<![CDATA[Korean Audience: Shen Yun Reveals Virtue of Heaven's Will]]> Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:57:42 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-04/048607950816.html

Daegu is also known as the "the city of education," and many people from the educational field came to see Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Dr Yong Seo Yoon, founder of the Institute of Humanities Studies in Korea, saw the show for the first time. He says the dancers are amazing.

[Dr Yong Seop Yoon, Korean Studies Advancement Center Principal]:

"Watching Shen Yun has touched me a lot. The backdrop and sound effects, and the dance and music were very well harmonized. What amazed me was how the performers could remember so many movements, it really is amazing. They performed so many dances and didn't make one mistake. Their performance and skills are amazing, they must have practiced for a very long time. The costumes were very beautiful, and the music was lovely."

In Soo Lee, director of the Daegu University of Education, says he enjoyed the message of following heaven's will.

[In Soo Lee, Director of Daegu University of Education]:

"The pure and righteous traditional arts of China, has touched my heart just like this. It has deeply moved me. Shen Yun has expressed the virtue of following the will of heaven, and portrayed the world created by God through art. In the surroundings of the stage with Shen Yun's performances, I could feel a gentle, pure and sincere atmosphere."

Professor Seon Eung Kim from the Catholic University of Daegu, says that after he saw Shen Yun, he felt fully replenished with the energy of life.

[Professor Seon Eung Kim, Catholic University of Daegu]:

"The show was like a dream, but filled with energy. I think Chinese classical dance has reached a world class level, and is about to become an international phenomenon. Seeing this show had given me strength, I am full of vitality as if I have been replenished with energy. I hope that everyone comes to see the show, and receive the vitality which Shen Yun brings."

NTD News, Daegu, Korea.

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<![CDATA[Shen Yun Impresses Choreograher in Daegu, Korea]]> Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:43:20 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2010-03-04/263988801734.html

Hi Zen Kim, a famous Korean choreographer, is considered a living legend in the history of modern dance in Korea. After watching Shen Yun Perforrming Arts in Daegu, she was impressed by the performers’ qualities.

[Ki Zen Kim, Choreographer of Daegu Modern Dance]:

"Every dancer was the main character. Everyone who has seen the show can tell that the performers have consumate foundations. Even with the large number of performers in each dance. But Shen Yun Performing Arts is the only dance group, which will hit the world stage with their own outstanding qualities."

Pil Nam Hong, a member of the Pohang City Assembly, felt that the spiritual world expressed by Shen Yun had shaken her own soul.

[Pil Nam Hong, Pohang City Assembly Member]:

"It was so captivating. Shen Yun has revived the magnificence of China's times. It was so beautiful. The show expressed another world, the world of the spirit and soul. Because the programs presented the heritage of spiritual culture, it was all very good. It has not only expressed Chinese culture, but the culture that is universal to all of mankind. I hope the scenes in Shen Yun's show have moved people's hearts, they can help people to recover their original nature."

The colorful program of Shen Yun received much praise. Each time the curtains were pulled, a new picturesque landscape greeted the audience.

[Tae Su Cho, Vice President of the Korean Calligraphy Association]:

"I am very touched. The performance in itself was splendid. The dance performers all looked great, and each had a mysterious agility. The dances integrated well with the backdrop. During the show, you could not pick out one single flaw. I am so moved. Through the performance today, we saw the history and traditional arts of China without any deficiency. The audience has very much enjoyed watching this show today."

NTD News, Daegu, Korea.

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<![CDATA[Family Celebrates at Shen Yun in Rochester, NY]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:32:51 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-02/966538340446.html

Many families came to see Shen Yun Performing Arts perform at the Rochester Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, New York.

Business owner Joe Verdis and his family celebrated his mother-in-law’s 70th birthday at the show.

[Joe Verdis, Business Owner]:
“We have like eight of us here. And we are really enjoying it.”

International business owner Mr. Tereschenko is also here with his family and says they love the show.

[Dmitri, Tereschenko, International Business Owner]:
“It’s a beautiful show, beautiful dancing. I am here with all my family. And with two daughters and my wife and they love it.”

Members from the Chinese cultural community also came to see Shen Yun.

Taiwanese association member Donna Silverman speaks highly about the show.

[Donna Silverman, Member, Taiwanese Association of Rochester]:
“And I just love this show. I think I can’t speak highly enough about it.”

Shen Yun’s next U.S. performance is in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 6th.

NTD News, Rochester, New York.

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<![CDATA[Erhu Performance Captivates Audiences – Shen Yun in Rochester, New York]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:31:17 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-02/707267691563.html

Over the weekend, Shen Yun Performing Arts was welcomed by audience members at the Rochester Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, New York.

The erhu was a favorite instrument for one audience member.

[Andre Becoats, Video Manager]:
“It was one of my favorite instruments. I love the sound of it. I thought it was beautiful.”

Jason Maedl, a production director, was really amazed that the erhu could produce many notes.

[Jason Maedl, Production Director]:
“I just can’t believe she gets so many notes out of just two (strings). It’s like violin, but even more range. It’s really impressive.”

Baptist minister Richard Myers was enchanted by the music.

[Richard Myers, Baptist Minister]:
“It’s enchanting to hear that erhu. It just digs really deep in to the soul. To listen to that music.”

An audience member enjoyed listening to the erhu.

[Rob Chen, Audience Member]:
“It’s great. I heard it before and it was just wonderful to hear it played. It was just perfect. It just fits in so well. The balance of the music was wonderful.”

Audience member Jeff Sprague was impressed by the erhu performance.

[Jeff Sprague, Assistant Director, 13WAHM-TV in Rochester]:
“I loved it. I grew up playing the violin. And I was never anywhere near that good with four strings. And how good she was with two. It was just amazing.”

Mr. Sprague is the assistant director of a local news company, 13WAHM-TV. He hopes that Shen Yun can perform in China one day.

[Jeff Sprague, Assistant Director, 13WAHM-TV in Rochester]:
“It’s quite a shame that people in mainland China can’t see this. You know the surprise of saying that ‘here is your culture, I’m sorry you can’t enjoy it where you actually live. It’s the people outside of the mainland that hold it for you and just wait for it to be able to come home’.”

The Chinese communist regime has prevented Shen Yun from entering China, and has allegedly interfered with their performances over the years. Some of the members of Shen Yun practice Falun Gong, a spiritual meditation practice that is currently being persecuted in China.

NTD News, Rochester, New York.

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<![CDATA["Shen Yun Has Found a Home In My Heart" — Changwon, South Korea ]]> Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:00:21 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-01/495785758211.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts held two shows at the Sungsan Arts Hall in Changwon, South Korea last week. Professionals from artistic circles attended the shows.

Zheng Yoko is the president of the Masan Dance Association. She says that as a dancer, she was inspired by Shen Yun’s performance.

[Zheng Yoko, President, Masan Dance Association]:
“The Chinese backdrops used in the Shen Yun performance are magnificent. The costumes, and the unity of the dancers’ posture and movement, are visually refined. The distinctive Chinese costumes and the unique charms of Chinese dance have inspired us as professional dancers.”

Ms. Zheng says she would like to introduce Shen Yun to other dance professionals.

[Zheng Yoko, President, Masan Dance Association]:
“I want to introduce Shen Yun to dancers in other areas. We feel very honored that Shen Yun came to South Gyeongsang Province. I am really honored that I could see this performance.”

Zhang Lingjun, a Korean Arts Association consultant and Korean painter, said that he was touched by the show.

[Zhang Lingyun, Korean Painter]:
“Shen Yun’s performance has found a home in my heart. From the performance I understand that people in their life should do good things based on kindness. Some of the performances were very entertaining, and some touched my heart.”

NTD, Changwon, South Korea.

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<![CDATA[Shen Yun Displays Chinese Culture in South Korea]]> Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:59:01 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-03-01/183558271574.html

When the curtain opened, costumes shone against scenery of mountains and streams. Music blended with movement as Shen Yun Performing Arts took the stage in Changwon, South Korea.

[Liu Zhu, University Student]:
"It was exciting. In other places I just haven't seen such a great, even moving, performance. As it began, I was really pleasantly surprised; the birth of Chinese culture, the spread of Buddha's Law, having a deep sense of compassion, these are what truly make China great. It was a powerful experience."

It can be deeply meaningful for many Chinese to see a performance like Shen Yun display their culture.

[Liu Zhu, University Student]:

"It embodies the profound charm of China, gives people a deep sense of peace, and it's a platform for displaying China's great culture to the world; if you have the chance you should definitely see it."

NTD News, Changwon, South Korea.

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<![CDATA[Film Producer "My Heart Was Pounding" at Shen Yun]]> Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:08:57 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-02-23/343135516763.html

Jocelyn Engle is a film producer, she has just seen Shen Yun and says.

[Jocelyn Engle, Film Producer]:
"It was a feast for the eyes. It was magnificent. I think it was so creative, it was brilliant, truly brilliant."

Jocelyn was impressed with the performers and passion.

[Jocelyn Engle, Film Producer]:
"My heart was pounding, and there was a depth, and I think that everyone in this show seemed to have the passion. They worked very very hard and it wasn’t just working it was full body and soul. It was a passion. I enjoyed it so, immensely. Immensely."

Jocelyn says the performance transcended normal human ability.

[Jocelyn Engle, Film Producer]:
"I know that this was beyond, their entire body and soul was one and it was in to what they were doing. It was real, it was very real and that’s the best you can get."

NTD, New York.

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<![CDATA[Shen Yun Finishes Seven Show Run at Radio City in New York]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:50:40 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-02-22/289355549431.html

Shen Yun Performing Arts finished its seven-show run at Radio City Music Hall in New York over the weekend.

David Ledgin, a lawyer and musician, was impressed by the Shen Yun Orchestra.

[David Ledgin, Lawyer and Musician]:
“It’s a very good feeling from all the senses. The sight and the sound and the music. I love the music, I’m a musician. Every piece is different, but it’s classically Chinese, distinctly Chinese.”

[Angel Roman, Singer]:
“It was amazing. It was beautiful.”

Musician Michael Mammon says Shen Yun’s opera singers have magnificent voices.

[Michael Mammon, Musician]:
“I was listening to the opera and I never in my life saw an opera, female and male, to sing this way. My first time. You know, you usually hear Italian, or canters, but not Chinese. It’s beautiful, the voice is just magnificent. It’s just beautiful, I love it, it’s very interesting.”

Oil painter Allison Parker found the costumes inspiring.

[Allison Parker, Oil Painter]:
‘Especially the long sleeves that faded from white in to green. And I thought that was very vivid, so I will definitely try to incorporate some of those colors in to my art work now.”

It was Patricia Chin’s second time seeing Shen Yun.

[Patricia Chin, Founder, VP Records]:
“Oh, it’s so beautiful, the music, the background, the costume, touches my heart. It’s very special.”

Pastor Juan Morales was inspired by the show.

[Juan Morales, Pastor]:
“A very hopeful and a bright time ahead of us. That was my impression.”

[Sabrina Jose, Chief Operating Officer]:
“It’s so beautiful, so inspiring and what they can do they are just so talented.”

Ms. Jose particularly enjoyed the backdrops.

[Sabrina Jose, Chief Operating Officer]:
“Even the animation in the screen, it’s moving, And it’s just so beautiful, so beautiful.”

For one inspirational writer, the costumes and the message were a blessing to behold.

[Tabitha Vinson, Writer]:
“To be able to see all of the dance attire. The colors, the spiritual meaning, the spiritual undertones. It was such a blessing to be able to see.”

[Vincent Hosang, Company President]:
“It was wonderful. And I will tell my friends and I will come back and see it again.”

NTD News, New York.

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<![CDATA[Classical Indian Dancer Sees Shen Yun at Radio City]]> Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:50:02 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-02-22/455924556834.html

Attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at Radio City Music Hall was one classical Indian dancer who has 25 year’s experience.

[Vaishali Chaudhuri, Classical Indian Dancer]:
“The best thing is the spiritual, the underlying spiritual nature of both the choreography and the songs. It’s beautiful, I am enjoying it.”

The female dancers made a strong impression on her.

[Vaishali Chaudhuri, Classical Indian Dancer]:
“Well, they’re beautiful exquisitely beautiful. And their makeup, their dress, the whole get up, they’re very graceful. It’s beautiful experience.”

She was impressed by the performance “Wu Song Battles the Tiger.”

[Vaishali Chaudhuri, Classical Indian Dancer]:
“Yes, I loved the warrior who killed the tiger. He was really good. I liked that the best. And the male dancers are very good, too. They are fantastic.”

Chinese classical dance has a history of thousands of years. Shen Yun Performing Arts uses this art form to present the ancient legends of China, the dance of different ethnic groups, and contemporary stories of persecution in mainland China.

NTD News, New York.

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<![CDATA[Audience Impressed By Shen Yun in New York City]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:04:21 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-02-21/086917507634.html

Markus Koch is a reporter for a German TV news station, and says he likes that U.S. citizens, get a chance to see the true culture of China.

[Markus Koch, German TV News Reporter]:
“It’s great because it shows the true color of what China is supposed to be about. And I think it’s very important to show that to the American public.”

Ms. Navidi a research strategies director says she was mesmerized by the show.

[Ms. Navidi, Research Strategies Director]:
"It was the most wonderful show, a great performance. I am very impressed. I think it provided a great overview culturally in terms of time, in terms of ethnicity. And I’m just completely charmed, I’m mesmerized."

Steve Fastook, a TV Network Vice President of Operations says he is amazed by the show.

[Steve Fastook, TV Network Vice President of Operations]:
"Well first of all, I think it’s amazing the cultural impact, and the fact that it’s true performing arts, and that’s such a hard art to hold on to. And it’s such a refreshing thing to come to a show like this and see the work that this troupe has put in to this, and it’s obvious they worked very hard to produce this kind of a show."

Steve says the costuming brings such colour to the show, without the use of technology and lighting.

[Steve Fastook, TV Network Vice President of Operations]:
"I think one of the things that inspired me the most, and I’m a technical guy. The fact that the color was brought to the show, not with electronics and lighting, but with costuming."

Eric Diomande who is Fashion Show Producer for Couture Fashion Week, says the show delivered more than he expected.

[Eric Diomande, Fashion Show Producer for Couture Fashion Week]:
"I had a great time here. I will have to say that it was very classical. It was more than I was really expecting. It was a really good show and I really enjoyed that I came here."

Andres Sprinj is the Managing Director of a Private Jet Company.

[Andres Sprinj, Managing Director Private Jet Company]:
"I particularly liked the costumes. And I feel the same way that he did, that it was just interesting to learn about a new culture."

NTD, New York.

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<![CDATA[Mitzi Deeply Touched by Shen Yun Show in New York City]]> Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:59:33 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-02-21/069274828010.html

Mitzi is an artist who decorates eggs ornately. Here she carries an Emu egg decorated as a purse. She was so impressed by Shen Yun she wants all her friends to see it as it was so fantastic.

[Mitzi, Artist]:
"Hao kan. I loved it. I thought it was an amazing mixture of beauty, talent, creativity, and deep emotional connection. I thought it was fantastic, I would recommend all my friends see it."

Mitzi says she is filled with hope after seeing the show.

[Mitzi, Artist]:
"I will tell you something. It filled me with energy and hope. I thought that watching people who really cared deeply about something important including the spiritual side of life energises me. It makes me want to do good things."

Mitzi was so moved by the singers ability to touch her heart emotionally.

[Mitzi, Artist]:
"And I particularly enjoyed the singers. I thought it was amazing to me that they were able to capture so much emotion, and have it crawl write in to my heart."

NTD, New York.

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<![CDATA[Fashion Designer Loves Shen Yun's Colors at Radio City in New York]]> Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:38:17 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_arts/2010-02-20/072146114532.html

A fashion designer, originally from Spain, saw Shen Yun at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

[Isabel Sermeno, Fashion Designer]:
“It was so beautiful, the colors. The costumes. I never seen something like that in my life.”

As a professional designer herself, Ms. Sermeno was interested in the dancers' costumes.

[Isabel Sermeno, Fashion Designer]:
“The colors, I can’t explain to you. But I love the colors. The flowers. The costumes was very, very interesting. And I would like to, you know, see that show again.”

Ms. Sermeno has a message for people who have not yet seen Shen Yun.

[Isabel Sermeno, Fashion Designer]:
“Just come to see this show, you will never forget about that.”

NTD News, New York.

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