One California mother and an entrepreneur took a party of 11 to watch Shen Yun Performing Arts, which is on its world tour.
The family of Sherean Maynard, who is the owner of Zenterra Spa, watched the show on Dec. 30.
“It’s so inspiring and so breathtaking. At the same time, as I’m watching, I just cannot believe not only the technique, the form, and the unison that they have, but the spirit in it … I could just feel the spirit and it’s so strong. And that’s so moving to me. Obviously, as a dance instructor, trying to bring a group together and have them in unison like that, and just seeing what this group has pulled off is amazing,” Ms. Maynard said.
They drove several hours from the Northern California city of Winters to the Center for Performing Arts in San Jose. The mother of four, also a dance instructor, treated the entire family as a Christmas present.
She said, “We brought all of our family here for their present to be able to come and see this inspiration because it’s a lost art. But it’s not lost because you guys are here and it was just so amazing.”
Sam Maynard, president of Steadfast Construction Management, said, “My wife and many of my children are dancers and performers, and we’ve always been inspired by Chinese dance, and my wife bought us tickets to the show and we’re just so excited to be here.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional culture. Maynard’s family said that Shen Yun is more than just a performance.
“I believe that the dancers come across with purity and almost a holiness. You can tell that they are good on the inside and it comes out in their outward expression,” Mr. Maynard continued. “Wonderful. [It] makes me feel peaceful inside.”
Ms. Maynard said, “So beautiful. The orchestra is beautiful. … Honestly, I’m kind of at a loss for words. There’re so many things I can’t—you just have to see it and feel it. But to actually be there and be like, ‘This is a live orchestra!’ Like so many times my kids are like, ‘Mom, they’re real.’ ‘They are right there!’ and you could just feel it. And then, you’re watching the dancers, and one of my sons, he’s like, ‘you’re watching them and then you think, it almost seems like it’s not real.’ But they’re so good, so beautiful!”
Steve Neville, COO of Substructure Support, Inc, said, “The traditional folk dancing of the Chinese culture is a thing of beauty. It really is, it’s so different. I haven’t seen anything like it before.”
The family expressed their appreciation to the performers and said that it’s important that others see it too.
Ms. Maynard said, “I think our world needs it. Our world needs the inspiration, the goodness, the spirit that’s in it. And so, just come, come see it. It’s well worth it, well worth the sacrifice.”
Mr. Maynard continued, “Thank you for putting this on. Thank you for the message that you are spreading. Thank you for being a part of our life tonight.”
Shen Yun will be performing in San Francisco, Reno, Berkeley, Folsom, Fresno, and Modesto in January—and Sacramento in February.
NTD News, San Jose, California
