Shen Yun Artists Say New York Times’ Criticisms Are Unfounded

The recent attack by The New York Times on Shen Yun Performing Arts, a leading classical Chinese dance company, is not only factually incorrect but also misrepresents the company’s culture, according to current and former staff.

In a recent article published on Nov. 17, The New York Times distorts the practicum arrangement between Shen Yun and its affiliated religious schools, Fei Tian College and Fei Tian Academy of the Arts, where talented students have the opportunity to perform with the company.

The article implies that the company relies heavily on underage performers who are overworked.

Shen Yun dismissed the New York Times piece as “filled with inaccuracies.”

“Students perform with Shen Yun as part of a curriculum approved by the New York State Department of Education.”

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Shen Yun also clarified that classical Chinese dance, the company’s primary art form, is suited for young individuals, similar to gymnasts whose peak years are in their teens and early twenties.

“For this reason, Shen Yun provides outstanding student performers the chance to tour with the company as part of their coursework,” it explained.

After The New York Times article was released, The Epoch Times conducted interviews with several artists, all of whom rejected the newspaper’s depiction of the company.

“A lot of it is not based on facts. It’s so poorly done,” said Nika Zhang, a Shen Yun violinist and concertmaster who joined the company as a student in 2011.

All the artists interviewed for this piece enrolled at Fei Tian as teenagers with the goal of eventually performing with Shen Yun, which stages performances for millions of spectators at prestigious venues around the world.

Shen Yun, founded in 2006 by Falun Gong practitioners, features dance pieces that reflect the persecution faced by the group in China at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The New York Times has a history of promoting CCP propaganda against Falun Gong. Recent hit pieces targeting Shen Yun have raised questions about the newspaper’s sources and connections to the CCP.

Mission Intertwined With Faith

Shen Yun artists find it puzzling that their hard work ethic is being turned against them.

“They demonize hard work which I find hard to understand. I’ve always been proud of my dedication,” said Zhang, who began touring with Shen Yun in 2011 as a student.

To the artists, achieving the highest level of artistry requires immense effort.

“When you agree to go on a practicum tour at Fei Tian, you know what you’re signing up for. You understand that being an artist requires dedication and hard work. That’s the nature of art,” Zhang explained.

Lillian Parker, a principal dancer at Shen Yun who began touring with the company as a student in 2018, said that many aspiring performers view joining Shen Yun as a privilege.

“When you decide to pursue this path, you want to put your heart and soul into it,” Parker said.

Furthermore, the artists stated that Shen Yun’s close connection to their faith adds a deeper layer of significance to their art.

“If everything I’m doing is just for fame or fortune, at the end of my life, I’ll feel empty. Shen Yun fills my heart because it’s more than just a job for me,” Cai expressed.

Articles by The New York Times felt personal to many of the artists.

“I feel like I gained a second family in Shen Yun … and then for The New York Times to come out with articles like that, it feels like almost a personal attack, like an attack on my family, attack on my friends,” said Shen Yun principal dancer Jesse Browde.

Zhang expressed offense at the articles.

“I’m very proud to work for this company, and I believe it’s an upright one. I’m proud of what I do,” she stated.

Zhang questioned why The New York Times singled out Shen Yun for such negative coverage.

From Artist to Performer

Performing with Shen Yun during their student years was an invaluable experience, according to the artists.

“I hit the jackpot,” Cai remarked.

“Many artists spend their entire lives training for a single show at a prestigious theater. Shen Yun gives numerous young artists the opportunity to perform at famous venues worldwide,” she added.

All Fei Tian students receive full scholarships, including room and board, equivalent to about $50,000 per year. While on tour, all expenses are covered, along with a stipend for personal expenses.

“When you add it all up, it’s a substantial investment,” Browde noted.

“Everything is taken care of. I don’t have to worry about anything,” he added.

Touring with Shen Yun offers a unique experience not found elsewhere, according to Zhang.

“As a high school or college student who plays the violin, where else would you have the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra in front of audiences globally?” she questioned.

Several Shen Yun artists emphasized the distinction between practicing in a school setting and performing live on stage before an audience.

Wei, a former Shen Yun dancer now working as a projection engineer, highlighted the importance of stage experience over theoretical training.

“On stage, you learn how to be a live performer, how to handle the pressure. It’s a completely different experience,” Wei explained.

Shen Yun’s culture encourages seasoned performers to mentor novices, sharing practical insights beyond just dance techniques.

The mental challenge of performing in front of an audience was the most important aspect of their growth, according to the artists.

“Gradually, as you gain more experience on stage, you evolve from a dancer to a performer. Spending time on stage is crucial for this transformation,” Wei explained.

All the artists agreed that being part of Shen Yun has contributed significantly to their personal growth.

“My years at Shen Yun and Fei Tian have shaped me as a person through these experiences,” said Steven Song, a Shen Yun violinist who began touring in 2015 and is now completing his master’s degree at Fei Tian College.