An insider look into the company and life with Shen Yun: What is Dragon Springs, where do performers live, are they minors, and are they paid? Also, how do you fit 70 million people on 400 acres? (spoiler alert, you can’t), and how did an American who grew up in Iowa end up on stage with a traditional Chinese performance? This and more as Shen Yun MC Jared Madsen sits down with Ally Wang in this fast-paced personal chat, including the propaganda the Chinese Communist Party is trying to force into America. “My whole life’s goal was around traditional Chinese culture, and I can do that with Shen Yun… It’s the power of traditional Chinese culture, the power of the show.” This conversation has been edited for brevity. The Untold Story of Shen Yun: https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/discover-the-heart-of-shen-yun Timestamps: 00:09 Jared’s journey from Iowa to Shen Yun 01:48 Dragon Springs 02:47 Life on campus 05:18 Minors in Shen Yun 06:01 Pay 07:10 Child labor 08:27 Education 09:20 Being a Westerner in Chinese culture 10:44 Learning Chinese 12:25 What he found in China 14:21 Life goal with Shen Yun 15:00 The power of traditional Chinese culture 15:41 Media regurgitation 16:53 Sting operation 17:38 The CCP is coming for the West

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 https://tianliangalliance.org/product-ebook-the-essence-of-chinese-civilization-2-volumes-$50-.ks3G-mE.html Life at Fei Tian College, Where Shen Yun’s Future Stars Train https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k_6STF1itY 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

Here are some top moments from the first 10 episodes of Shen Yun Voices. 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. 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 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

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. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:55 Treating Shen Yun performers 2:00 Northern Medical Center purpose 2:27 Familiar tactic 6:03 Disrespectful 7:00 People in charge 9:36 Dancers’ eating habits 11:07 Challenges after leaving the company 12:17 How to have a healthy perspective 15:43 Stress 17:13 Being present 20:00 Shen Yun from the perspective of Chinese medicine 24:15 Classical music and empathy

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. 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 Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. This conversation has been edited for brevity. 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. 0:40 Reaction to recent media coverage 3:40 Becoming a Shen Yun dancer 5:28 Martial arts transition 7:13 Relationship with dancer teachers 9:47 Letting go of ego 10:13 Shen Yun’s first year 12:10 Company changed? 14:17 Injuries and medical care 15:43 Management 18:00 Tumbling 21:06 Favorite Shen Yun moment 22:23 Favorite and least favorite roles 23:50 Homeless relatives in China 27:29 Performing in Taiwan 29:18 Hong Kong cancellation 30:41 Becoming an instructor 33:08 Takeaways from time in Shen Yun 35:07 Son’s future Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC. This episode has been edited for brevity. Mingye Liu’s blog: https://www.shenyuncommunity.org/post/memories-that-continue-to-inspire-me On martial arts and Chinese dance: https://www.shenyuncommunity.org/post/5000-year-old-siblings-chinese-dance-kung-fu

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. This interview has been edited for brevity. William Li bio https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/artists/view/article/e/h5OVltI6GzE/william-li.html Behind the Recent Media Misrepresentations of Shen Yun https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/news/view/article/e/ZLgyUloHLE8/behind-the-recent-media-misrepresentations-of-shen-yun.html Shen Yun fact sheet https://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/faq/article/e/grSTSeIeJn8/shen-yun-factsheet.html