On October 17th, during the stunning autumn season with maple trees turning red and apricot leaves yellow, Dragon Springs, the headquarters of Shen Yun Performing Arts in Hudson Valley, New York, welcomed over a hundred political and business elites, community leaders, and artists. The guests toured the campus, primarily constructed in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, watched the documentary “Indestructible: The Story Behind Shen Yun,” and engaged in conversations over tea with Shen Yun artists and Feitian Academy students.
The guests marveled at the brilliance and beauty of Dragon Springs, praising the Shen Yun artists for their elegance and amazing talents. They felt honored to have the opportunity to visit. The Shen Yun artists showcased their grace and hospitality, sharing their life stories and the challenges they face due to their faith. Shen Yun principal dancer, Jingzhou Huang, expressed gratitude for the guests’ support and stated, “We hope that events like this are just the beginning.”
Shenhua principal dancer, Xiaohong Lin, from Taiwan, expressed feeling like being among family at Dragon Springs. She mentioned anticipating the event and hoped that the documentary “Indestructible” would help more people understand and support Shen Yun.
Regarding rumors about Shen Yun performers not receiving proper medical treatment, Gan Yong Ren, another principal dancer, refuted the claims, citing personal experiences where prompt medical care was provided when needed. Wang Chen, a principal dancer since 2007, dismissed accusations against Shen Yun, stating her own positive experiences at Dragon Springs and emphasizing the importance of the serene environment for artists’ focus and artistic growth.
Lillian Parker, a Shen Yun apprentice from the Feitian University, described her enriching experiences with Shen Yun over the past eight years, which have broadened her perspective and opened her eyes to new cultural experiences. Nara Oose, a principal dancer from Japan, expressed her unwavering belief in Shen Yun’s mission despite increasing pressure from the Chinese Communist Party.
Minghui Huang, an apprentice from Taiwan studying at Feitian University, emphasized the familial atmosphere at Dragon Springs and urged people to watch the documentary to better understand the challenges they face due to the CCP’s suppression of Shen Yun. Ryan Li, a Feitian University student from the United States, highlighted the learning opportunities through immersive cultural experiences with Shen Yun.
Li Yuan Cheng, another Feitian University student, emphasized the collaborative spirit at Shen Yun, where competition was about self-improvement rather than winning awards. John Perry, the program host for Shen Yun, described his dream come true to be part of Shen Yun and highlighted the enriching experience he gained by bridging East and West through his role.
Perry served as a guide for the guests during the event, showcasing the campus, historic Tang architecture, and explaining the significance of Shen Yun’s presence at Dragon Springs. Overall, the event was a special and enriching experience for all involved.