Artist Spotlight: Michelle Lian

Michelle Lian

Born in Taiwan

Performing with Shen Yun since 2013

“Let your art be gentle—soft enough to heal, honest enough to move the heart.

Let your spirit be brave—steady in storms, unafraid to get up and start again.

Never lose the spark within you, the childlike wonder, the smiles, and the deeper truths that anchor you with every step on stage.”

 

 

How did you come to join Shen Yun, and what made you want to be a part of it?
I was born in Taiwan. From as early as I can remember, my parents, who practiced the faith of Falun Dafa, worked tirelessly—day and night—to raise awareness about the persecution of people who practice Falun Dafa in China. Even though Taiwan is only about 100 miles from China, our political systems are very different. Falun Dafa is brutally persecuted in China, but in Taiwan it’s practiced freely and very popular. As a little girl, I wanted to do something to help in my own way.

Then, when I was six years old, I saw Shen Yun for the first time, and something inside me clicked on. I thought, “This is how I can do it. This is my way to speak out—through dance.” From that day on, I began collecting coins in a small pouch. I wanted to save enough coins for my dream: to buy a plane ticket to the U.S. and audition for Fei Tian Academy of the Arts, where students have a chance to perform with Shen Yun.

One day, my father saw my pouch. Instead of just being amused, he surprised me completely—he decided to move our entire family to the United States so I could chase that dream. Seeing how much faith my parents had in me made me even more determined. From then on, joining Fei Tian and becoming part of Shen Yun wasn’t just my dream—it became my way of honoring their love and carrying forward their mission.

    

What do you like most about performing on stage?
There’s this moment when the lights come on and despite the orchestra playing, to me everything goes quiet. In that instant, you’re no longer “you” — you become part of something bigger, just a pure expression of the kind and uplifting messages we want to share with the audience.

What is one unexpected joy of being on tour?
Packing. I always manage to shove everything into my suitcase. It’s a chore, but it’s somehow oddly satisfying. (Best packing tip?) Use pouches and zipper bags for each category of clothing. Squish them into compact units to save space and keep your luggage looking decent. You never know when airport security wants to open your suitcase.

What’s the difference between classical Chinese dance and other dance forms?
Classical Chinese dance is unique in that it’s not only a physical art form but also an embodiment of literally thousands of years of Chinese culture and philosophy. Every movement begins with the mind, spirit, and heart — before it turns into form. The dance technique, the form, serves to express deeper ideas.

So, to dance it well, you don’t just train your body, you enrich your understanding of history, literature, aesthetics, and most importantly—virtue. You need strength and flexibility, for sure, but also humility, patience, and knowledge. I think that the balance of physical ability and inner cultivation is what makes classical Chinese dance uniquely profound.

What do you do to center yourself before a show?
Before a show, I have a double shot of espresso, stretch out my limbs, warm up my joints, and remind myself to let go—to detach from being hyper aware of myself, and become one with the performance.

How do you relax after a show?
After a show, I love listening to podcasts, taking notes on new knowledge, or sharing a quiet moment with the people I care about.

What’s your favorite hobby or pastime, and why?
I love learning random facts about the world. These small surprises give my brain a little dopamine boost.

Do you have any tips for self-care to stay in top physical condition?
Sleep and smiles. That’s what I’m also currently working on.

What is the most memorable character you’ve played on stage?
The young lady Yingtai from The Butterfly Lovers. That was one of the most thrilling and nerve-racking roles I’ve ever done. had to switch between being a girl and then a girl disguised as a guy, with two lightning-fast costume quick changes that were only about five seconds each. In those moments, there was no time to think, only action. One heartbeat you’re Yingtai the disguised scholar, the next you’re her true self again—all while the story keeps moving. If you miss a beat, the story is shot. It was all at once both terrifying and exhilarating.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
It would be cognitive superpower. I’d love to instantly understand anything—languages, emotions, even the reasons behind why people do what they do. I think it would make life endlessly fascinating and help me connect with others on a deeper level.

If you could describe yourself with three words, what would they be?
Emotional, empathetic, introverted.

What’s your favorite city to visit on tour?
Kyoto, still Kyoto even after being there so many times. The busy streets next to the calm of the Kamo River, the tentative stray cat sniffing for yakizakana grilled fish, and the warm light coming through wooden-framed windows—it’s all a part of this charming, quaint city. And of course, everything there is so convenient.

Most memorable audience reaction?
Once, when our MC announced it was time for intermission, a child exclaimed loudly, “AWWW COME ON!!!” The entire audience laughed, and so did we backstage.

What do you think is the highest level of dance or artistry?
To me, the highest level of dance is when it becomes a form of healing. It’s when you don’t need to speak or even be near someone, yet your dance reaches them, calming, inspiring, or gently awakening something in their heart.

It’s beyond technique, beyond perfect lines. It’s when your body is the manifestation of something purer: truthfulness, compassion, forbearance. And for that moment, the audience feels it too. That silent connection is the highest form of artistry I can imagine.

If you could sit down with your younger self, just starting out as an artist, what would you tell her? 
I would tell her: Be kind to yourself. Not by giving yourself excuses, but by allowing yourself to fail without self-loathing, allow yourself to rest without guilt, and to keep going for the pure artistic pursuit, not out of fear of falling behind.

And I would also tell her, very seriously: Train your core.

Yes, your actual physical core. Your abs, lower back, deep stabilizing muscles. Without core strength, your jumps lose height, your turns lose balance, and even your breath can’t flow. Core training feels repetitive and unglamorous, but it silently supports everything, just like character does in life.