Since joining Shen Yun as a dancer in 2008, I’ve found myself faced with a huge responsibility of sharing with the world a beautiful, mostly lost culture. This is a culture that streams from rich moral codes, and seeing how people appreciate the righteous aspects of ancient Chinese civilization is, for me, a source of endless joy.  

When I first came to America to join Shen Yun, I thought it would be a compelling experience to live overseas and tour the world with other performers. It took me some time to realize that what we were doing was so much more meaningful than I ever imagined. And I came to see that it was as much for others as for my own enjoyment.

Being half Chinese and half Caucasian-Australian, I didn’t have a particularly strong interest in my Chinese heritage growing up in Queensland. Coming to Shen Yun made a life-changing difference.

It’s been a constant process of learning about an ancient culture, one said to have been “divinely inspired” and passed down from the heavens. The enchanting stories, heroes, and lessons from 5,000 years of civilization are far more than I could ever hope to thoroughly learn.

Every year, our choreographers and artistic directors include these highlights from Chinese culture and its different dynasties, ethnic groups, regions, and literary classics. As a dancer, I get to relive these moments and traditions, experiencing them first hand while sharing them with others.

January 26, 2012