Shen Yun Voices
Shen Yun Artists (current and former)
We are artists, students, friends, family, and theatre patrons who all share one thing in common -- our lives have been touched by Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world's premier classical Chinese dance company. Over the past 17 years, Shen Yun's popularity has skyrocketed, becoming a household name in many parts of the world. Yet few understand how this unique American company operates nor what it is like to participate in its performances. As a community, we have come together to offer our personal experiences and insights on what life is like working with Shen Yun Performing Arts.
We are artists, students, friends, family, and theatre patrons who all share one thing in common -- our lives have been touched by Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world's premier classical Chinese dance company. Over the past 17 years, Shen Yun's popularity has skyrocketed, becoming a household name in many parts of the world. Yet few understand how this unique American company operates nor what it is like to participate in its performances. As a community, we have come together to offer our personal experiences and insights on what life is like working with Shen Yun Performing Arts.
"China Can Be Free," Shen Yun's Role - Prof. Zhang Tianliang
Epizodes
Today we have the pleasure of chatting with Professor Zhang Tianliang of Fei Tian College in New York. He’s a prolific author, lecturer, and television commentator who mixes a keen eye for world politics with in-depth knowledge of traditional Chinese culture. He talks about his personal journey from China, heartrending moments, and his hope for China’s future. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. This conversation has been edited for brevity. Links: Prof. Zhang’s book: The Essence of Chinese Civilization Life at Fei Tian College, Where Shen Yun’s Future Stars Train Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:50 Path to Fei Tian 2:45 Back in Beijing 4:50 His experience under persecution 6:00 Why he started practicing Falun Gong 9:00 Going to Zhongnanhai April 25th 14:40 CCP propaganda blitz 19:00 Family jailed 21:50 Saying goodbye 24:00 Final talk between father and daughter 28:00 Why the persecution? 33:10 Deciding to become a teacher 35:00 What is Fei Tian? 38:11 The highest compliment 39:45 Biggest challenge 41:00 Biggest dream
Top Moments of Shen Yun Voices: First 10 Episodes Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. Timestamps: 00:00 Alison Chen, former dancer and Vice Chair of Dance, Fei Tian College 00:40 Dr. Damon Noto, physiatrist 1:40 Sam Pu, Shen Yun dancer 2:44 Gabriela Gonzalez-Briceno, Shen Yun bassoonist 3:44 Levi Browde, Executive Director of Falun Dafa Information Center 4:19 Piotr Huang, Shen Yun principal dancer 4:46 Mingye Liu, former dancer Full Episode Links: Alison Chen, former dancer and Vice Chair of Fei Tian College https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWHDr8wc0Uw&t=1208s Dr. Damon Noto, physiatrist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojPeL7ydIwI Sam Pu, Shen Yun dancer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r77SCGdOmJg&t=1146s Gabriela Gonzalez-Briceno, Shen Yun bassoonist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRhdmdICWr0 Levi Browde, Executive Director of Falun Dafa Information Center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS3RS4vJguI&t=16s Piotr Huang, Shen Yun principal dancer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrb82TNNVs4&t=167s Mingye Liu, former dancer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFwMSFHuW_4
Our guest in this episode is none other than Shen Yun Principal Dancer Piotr Huang. On stage, Piotr is one of Shen Yun’s brightest stars. In this short interview before tour, we talk about his epic fails, his discipline, unspoken rules at home, and when he feels the most pressure. I’m Leeshai Lemish, and this is Shen Yun Voices. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. This conversation has been edited for brevity. Born in Warsaw, Poland, Piotr Huang won first place in New Tang Dynasty Television’s 2014 International Classical Chinese Dance Competition. He studied at the New York-based Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and earned his bachelor’s degree, graduating summa cum laude, from Fei Tian College, where he also earned his Master of Fine Arts in Classical Chinese Dance. Some of his starring roles include Monkey King, Unprecedented Crime, and Red Cliff. Links: Piotr Huang’s Shen Yun bio: https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/artists/view/article/e/hBFlGVpHELU/.html Artist Spotlight interview https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/news/view/article/e/B6dIptj5Lmc/artist-spotlight-piotr-huang.html Stars of Shen Yun video on Shen Yun Creations: https://www.shenyuncreations.com/video/_video_1d1ec9485f574393b07ee55b2e850eaf/She-Yun-Stars-Piotr-Huang?pid=p_g3E359JrRtC1&view= Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:15 Epic fails 02:24 Biggest challenge 03:10 Talking about dance with wife 03:58 Discipline 05:05 Hardest dance 06:58 Your mission 8:20 Different reactions worldwide 11:20 Biggest pressure ever
Today we’re chatting with Shen Yun Orchestra musicians Gabriela and Gustavo Briceno, a couple from Venezuela. Gabby is an award-winning bassoonist, Gustavo a violinist; they talk about their unexpected journey together and their take about being part of Shen Yun Performing Arts. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. This conversation has been edited for brevity. Links: Special long-distance relationship on tour: https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/blog/view/article/e/q7ccljjAlcg/on-tour-daily-diary#Jan-14 Gabriela Gonzalez-Briceno bio: https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/artists/view/article/e/2XmDkyocSVE/bassoon-gabriela-gonzalez-briceno.html Gabriela’s Instagram day in a life: https://www.instagram.com/shenyunperformingarts/reel/CpxaM3xNHEh/ Erhu vs. violin with Gustavo: https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/videos/latest-videos/play/-tRTkhoMrrU/erhu-versus-violin.html Timestamps: 00:44 Leaving Venezuela for NY 04:13 Joining Shen Yun 07:40 Auditions 10:43 Culture shock 12:10 Mental strength 13:23 Gustavo’s change 16:00 Gabriela’s change 20:47 Arguments 22:49 Company culture different orchestras 26:01 The process of music making 32:36 Sharing notes with other musicians 34:37 Is it a cult? 42:11 Long-distance relationship
Today we’re speaking with Dr. Yang Jingduan, CEO of Northern Medical Center. He’s worked with Shen Yun dancers and musicians for almost twenty years. We talk about the medical care Shen Yun dancers need and get, and the role of meditation in an artist’s life. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. This conversation has been edited for brevity.
Our guest today is Dr. Damon Noto. He’s an award-winning physician who treats a range of athletes—football players, figure skaters, and… Shen Yun dancers. What injuries do these dancers get? What medical treatment do they receive, and how does it compare to professional sports? We talk about that, and more on Shen Yun Voices. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. This conversation has been edited for brevity. Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:45 On-time award 2:11 Working with Shen Yun dancers 4:22 Types of Shen Yun dancer injuries 8:11 Shen Yun’s approach to medical care 12:07 Advice to parents 13:02 Reaction to critique in media 17:47 Interaction with Shen Yun performers 18:51 What performers can do to prepare for a long career 20:02 Differences between performers and athletes 22:08 Fatigue or actual injury? 23:41 Entering sports medicine Dr. Damon J. Noto, MD bio: https://www.spineandjointcenter.com/staff/ Shen Yun dancer Sam Pu talking about his Achilles rupture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r77SCGdOmJg&t=136s
Today our guest is Mingye Liu, a former Shen Yun performer, in fact, one of the first Shen Yun dancers. We reminisce about the company’s early days, get his thoughts on the recent media attacks, and talk about the most difficult role he ever had on stage. Also on this episode, how dancers learn tumbling techniques and overcome fear, family in China, and a ridiculous trip to Moldova. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.
In this episode, veteran Shen Yun dancer William Li reacts to recent articles criticizing Shen Yun. He talks about the company’s policies regarding injuries, the potential reason for the hit pieces, and his experience in over a decade with the company. Hosted by Shen Yun MC Leeshai Lemish.
Today we’re sitting down with Levi Browde, Executive Director of the Falun Dafa Information Center. Levi talks about how the Chinese Communist Party has weaponize social media and the Western press to attack Shen Yun, and how he discovered what the CCP is so afraid of. In this packed episode, we talk about secret agents, bomb threats, and manipulation of our free press, as well as behind the scenes of big news stories, and a few very touching moments. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.
In this episode, we’re talking with Sophia Sun, a successful businesswoman from Canada, and mother of two dancers now performing with Shen Yun. We talked her about her relationship with her kids, and found a few surprises along the way. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.
In this episode, we talk to the bubbly Alison Chen. Alison is a former Shen Yun dancer who toured with the company for several years. She studied classical Chinese dance at Fei Tian College in New York and won multiple prizes at the NTD International Classical Chinese Competition, including gold in 2010. She is now a choreographer, dance teacher, and a sincere, humble, and fun person to talk to. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.
In this episode, we have a conversation with longtime Shen Yun dancer Sam Pu. Sam is also famous for his role in the dancer trio 3 Musketeers and his video shorts like Hotel 33. Here he talks about his journey to becoming a professional dancer, overcoming an injury that put his career on hold, gaining a new perspective, and what he’s looking forward to. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.
In this episode, we chat with Kay Rubacek, an award-winning producer and human rights advocate. Kay's children, Lee and Grace Rubacek, now tour with Shen Yun. We talk about how her Australian children got into classical Chinese dance and the challenges she's faced as a mother supporting her children on their unique journey. Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.
