MODESTO, Calif.—The classical Chinese dance company, Shen Yun Performing Arts performed in Modesto, California, in the Central Valley.

It received letters of recognition from many dignitaries, including Congressmen Kevin Kiley, Jim Costa, as well as California assembly members Anamarie Farias, Josh Hoover, and Rhodesia Ransom.

The company graced the Gallo Center stage for two performances as part of its 2026 world tour, showcasing “China before communism.”

Tammy Beilstein, former host of the program, “What’s She Up to Now?” was in attendance.

“Unbelievable,” Ms. Beilstein said. “The dancing, the stories, the colors. Your performers are perfect.”

Dr. Parminder Sidhu, a medical oncologist, watched the performance with his daughter.

“Beautiful,” Mr. Sidhu said. “It’s awesome, and it’s alive. And you can feel every single beat.”

Jahaziel Magana, a photographer and author of books on poetry, has seen the performance multiple times.

“It makes you have all kinds of experience, feelings,” Mr. Magana said. “It will pull you in as soon as you see the curtain come up.”

The photographer said, “It’s like a heavenly experience,” adding that he enjoyed the scenes with the clouds on stage.

“It’s just amazing because it will make you laugh, it will make you want to cry. I’ve even cried. I have teared up, and it will also make you feel inspired. Makes you feel hopeful,” Mr. Magana said.

Tony Ramos, a geospatial scientist and developer, took his wife to see Shen Yun.

“I felt entrenched and very motivated,” Mr. Ramos said. “I want to see more. I’m coming back next year.”

Based in New York, the company aims to revive authentic traditional Chinese culture through a display of classical Chinese dance and music.

The audience members in California’s Central Valley were inspired by the experience.

“The costumes, so beautiful,” Dr. Sidhu said. “The movements, it’s very different to see Chinese culture right here at home.”

Ms. Beilstein: “The first thing that comes to my mind is the words in the songs that were performed in there. Again, tradition, faith, family. I love all of that. Protecting your culture and keeping that alive for the next generations.”

Mr. Ramos: “It took me through all the emotions. I loved how they told a story each time, and they balanced it with pretty much every emotion, and the faith of the Divine, and then that balance with that digital art, and how they just amplified what was being expressed on stage. It was beautiful.”

Mr. Magana: “I imagine they had to practice quite a lot, so that dedication, it’s something that makes me also want to practice and have. Their flexibility. Everything that they do—it’s amazing.”

“It’s just a sensation that I really wish people could come out and live it because they need to,” Mr. Magana said.

Shen Yun is performing in front of one million people across the globe this season, and currently has eight companies simultaneously touring the world.

The company will have performances in Fresno and Sacramento later this year, in March.

NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.