Shen Yun Voices

Not What You Expect - Shen Yun Musicians Gabriela and Gustavo Briceno

Shen Yun Artists (current and former) Season 1 Episode 9

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