(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts presented classical Chinese dance at Toronto's Canon Theatre on Friday night, earning high praise from an expert of another classical dance discipline who attended the performance. Mr. Maitland is one of Canada's top ballet dancers and serves as the Academic Principal for the National Ballet of Canada.

The audience giving a standing ovation at the Friday evening show.

He was amazed by the show, and was left wanting to see more. "I will have to come back and see it all again. Some of the singing, like the operatic pieces, was totally amazing. The orchestra itself was worthy of listening to even if there was no dance. The drumming I really enjoyed. I think, over all, it was just a wonderful example of the professional arts and performing arts coming together in one show--you have the dance, the singing the orchestra, the choreography, all of that working together to produce a magnificent evening of entertainment!"

"The water dance ["Nymphs of the Sea"] was a beautiful piece, but putting the dance aside, the drumming was amazing, and the piece with the chopsticks I found delightful." The chopstick dance, "Chopstick Zest," is an ethnic Mongolian dance characterized by bold steps and staccato rhythms beat with the striking movements of hundreds of chopsticks.

Mr. Maitland felt a strong connection with classical Chinese dance after seeing Shen Yun for the first time. While ballet primarily attracts female dancers, he said he was most pleased to see that classical Chinese dance drew from both genders. "It was nice to see so many men involved tonight. I would love Canadian culture to see this. I think we can learn a lot more dances."

Mr. Maitland directed special praise to Tia Zhang, a choreographer and company manager of the New York company of Shen Yun Performing Arts. Ms. Zhang is an accomplished performer and dancer of both ballet and classical Chinese dance.

"I have to congratulate her on what she as done here, it is totally magnificent."

Mr. Maitland concluded by saying that he was going to tell all his friends to come and see Shen Yun.