Are some Shen Yun performers teenagers?
Shen Yun is a professional performing arts company, and the core of its dancers are in their 20s or early 30s. They are among the best classical Chinese dancers in the world. The company also offers an exciting opportunity for remarkable young artists.
On average, more than 85% of our touring members are adults. The remaining 15% of slots are reserved for talented young dancers and musicians. They perform on a study-on-tour practicum with the Fei Tian schools, part of a program approved by the New York State Board of Education.
Young artists come to Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and Fei Tian College—schools that share a campus with Shen Yun—because they want to train at an elite level. If they reach professional standards, they can apply to perform with Shen Yun. If accepted into the program, they perform alongside seasoned professionals, receive real life experience and elective class credit, and get to tour the world.
All Fei Tian students are on full scholarship, their expenses are covered, and they receive an educational stipend. Like many high school and college athletes, they are not paid professionals. After graduating, however, some may be hired by Shen Yun as salaried professionals, without the burden of student debt.
Dancers are typically young because of the athletic demands of classical Chinese dance. It’s similar to competitive sports, ballet, or Olympic disciplines such as gymnastics and figure skating. Many of Shen Yun’s top performers became principal dancers in their early twenties.
