Shen Yun: "Wonderful Learning Experience and Very Inspiring" Advocates Toronto's Former Head of Schools (Photo)

(Clearwisdom.net) After seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts final 2009 Toronto show on Sunday, the former director of the Toronto District School Board said that Shen Yun is the kind of performance students need to attend.

"I regard it as a really wonderful learning experience. I find it very inspiring. I have worked with Chinese students for many years and didn't quite understand their performing arts, the dance and music. The thing I like about it [Shen Yun] is it tells a story and it is inspiring as well as a wonderful learning experience," said Mrs. Connelly.

Audience enjoys the final performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Canon Theatre in Toronto

The educator highly recommended seeing the show and felt that it gives an insight into classical Chinese culture.

"It would be very useful for kids to attend and we have a lot of schools of performing arts. I think it would be a wonderful experience for them to understand the origins of the classical Chinese and their contribution to the arts because we often don't know enough about the history, so I think that would be wonderful."

She said she enjoyed the way the performances are introduced to the audience, offering an explanation of the background and how they incorporate China's rich spiritual traditions, history and legends.

"I think that's wonderful. We were just saying that when we went to school, we learned zero about China's history... I think the more we can learn about different cultures and different perspectives, the better it is. So I think it is wonderful."

Mrs. Connelly also favorably commented on Shen Yun's efforts to revive the essence of Chinese performing arts. Like virtually every aspect of traditional Chinese culture, such arts were either suppressed or co-opted for political purposes when the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949. She thought this dynamic of Chinese history and performing arts was also an educational opportunity.

"I think it's something that students should be aware of. It is part of the culture that I was not aware of as an educator."

With Mrs. Connelly was friend and fellow educator, history teacher Mrs. Yagos, who also felt that students should see Shen Yun.

"I think something like this, just watching it, going through the whole process, their story telling and everything--I think students would really enjoy this. I think it is something they could really look at and see from a different perspective," said Mrs. Yagos.

Mrs. Connelly agreed. "There is a lot of teachable moments in there," adding that the artistic elements of the performances were "outstanding."

"Amazing," Mrs. Yagos said in agreement.