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

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.

Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.

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.

Today we’re sitting down with Levi Browde, Executive Director of the Falun Dafa Information Center. Levi talks about how the Chinese Communist Party has weaponize social media and the Western press to attack Shen Yun, and how he discovered what the CCP is so afraid of.

In this packed episode, we talk about secret agents, bomb threats, and manipulation of our free press, as well as behind the scenes of big news stories, and a few very touching moments.

Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.

In this episode, we’re talking with Sophia Sun, a successful businesswoman from Canada, and mother of two dancers now performing with Shen Yun. We talked her about her relationship with her kids, and found a few surprises along the way.

Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.

In this episode, we talk to the bubbly Alison Chen. Alison is a former Shen Yun dancer who toured with the company for several years. She studied classical Chinese dance at Fei Tian College in New York and won multiple prizes at the NTD International Classical Chinese Competition, including gold in 2010. She is now a choreographer, dance teacher, and a sincere, humble, and fun person to talk to.

Hosted by Leeshai Lemish, Shen Yun MC.