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