Lindsey Stirling is a phenomenon in the world of pop-culture. In her performances this young violinist joins classical melodies with modern dub-step and pop-music, thus creating a magnificent show! In 2010 Lindsey Stirling took part in an American talent contest "America’s Got Talent", but it is the Internet that has given her a chance to become worldwide famous.
Background
Lindsey Stirling was born in Orange County, California, but she and her two sisters were brought up in Gilbert, Arizona. At the age of five she was so influenced by classical music records played by her father that she wanted to play violin. Though there were tough times fo the family, Lindsey's parents decided to give their daughter a chance: at the age of six she started her first music lessons. The family could hardly afford 15-minute weekly lessons, but it was a great start that defined her whole life.
Education
Lindsey attended Mesquite High School. There she made her first steps in the world of modern music, joining a rock-band "Stomp on Melvin" at the age of 16. She admits that together with her four best friends they were spending marvellous time playing rock-music. At that time Lindsey started to experiment with mixing classical violin compositions with dance elements of modern hip-hop, creating her original style.
In 2005 Lindsey Stirling decided to take up a course in filmmaking at Brigham Young University (Brigham Young University is the largest religious university in the USA, which owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Lindsey says that her choice was caused by two reasons: "I actually came to BYU because I had heard they had a really good film program. I came to go into the film program originally. Also my parents came here and they had such fond memories".
But when she only needed an internship credit to graduate, Lindsey switched majors from filmmaking to therapeutic recreation. This decision was influenced by a number of factors. First of all, it was relatively uneasy for this young musician to combine studies and concert tours. Still, the main reason for the change was her 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York City. This was the time when Lindsey devoted herself to young people, helping them overcome their life problems. Working as a missionare gave her confidence, developed her social skills and strengthened her faith. This experience led her to a crucial decision: her life mission is helping troubled teenagers, so she must change her major. Lindsey Stirling graduated in 2013, but she doesn't spend much time with youngsters. Currently she is busy giving concerts and filming new performance videos.
Career
Lindsey Stirling started playing in a musical group at the age of 16. It was the first step on the way to success as a solo performer.
But it was a certain experience in Lindsey's life that served as an impetus to further professional development. In 2010 Lindsey Stirling took part in a national talent competition "America's Got Talent" (5-th season). Her performance was marked as "electrifying" by the judges, and though she was only a quarter-finalist, Stirling succeeded in winning the audience. Lindsey considered this show as an opportunity for her to become well-known in America, to find a producer and continue her musical career. But it was surprising for the young performer to find out that nobody is going to stake on her talent. Judge Piers Morgan pointed out: "You're not untalented, but you're not good enough to get away with flying through the air and trying to play the violin at the same time". Sharon Osbourne commented: "You need to be in a group. ... What you're doing is not enough to fill a theater in Vegas."
For Lindsey it was difficult to overcome such critics. As she writes in her blog: "Well, I admit that the things that were said to me on live, national TV were extremely hurtful. I was devastated at the results and it was almost serial that something that had nearly consumed my life for so long was instantaneously gone. Yes it was painful, and a bit humiliating; however, I had to relearn where it was that I drew my strength". It is remarkable that after those bitter words of judges and celebrities Lindsey Stirling found strength to continue composing and performing. She admits that it was faith that supported her during that uneasy period of her life: "Through heartfelt prayer I reminded myself that I am a daughter of God and that he was proud of me. ... As hard as it was, that night made me remember what is real, what’s important and what truly does bring happiness. Yes the glamor was extremely fun, and I loved it, I’m not going to lie, but what brings a real and lasting joy is our relationships with God, and our love for his other children he has put in our lives".
At that point Lindsey Stirling got her second wind. When she was studying filmmaking at BYU, she got acquainted with a cinematographer Devin Graham. After Lindsey's performance on "America's Got Talent" he contacted her with a proposal to make a YouTube video together. That was the start of extremely productive relationships, due to which Lindsey's masterpieces are now available for everyone to see as highly artistic short films.
The very first work of Lindsey's, submitted on YouTube was a music video "Spontaneous Me", which had been filmed on May 9, 2011. It boosted her popularity and by now (October, 2013) her channel called "Lindseystomp" has already got more than 3,2 million subscribers and 418 million views.
Since then Lindsey Stirling has filmed more than 40 original video clips. It should be mentioned that some of them are made in collaboration with other young musicians trying to audience worldwide. Among them there are: Peter Hollens, Pentatonix, Debi Johansen, Kurt Hugo Schneider, William Joseph and others. In September, 2012 the fans of Lindsey Stirling congratulated her with the release of her first album called "Lindsey Stirling", which was a #1 album in the US Classical Chart and the US Dance/Electronic Chart.
Lindsey Stirling is a musician of a new generation of artist who pay a lot of attention to what their fans think about their work, how do they like innovations and new ways of expression. Lindsey has profiles on Facebook, Twitter, vk.com and runs her own web-site. Everyone can leave a comment or ask the young violinist to perform his or her favourite composition. In particular, video clips "River Flows In You" (in collaboration with Debi Johansen) was created as an answer to numerous requests. I order to please those of her fans that are obsessed with computer games, Lindsey Stirling has created a series of short videos devoted to the most popular games-strategies: "Skyrim", "Game of Thrones" and "Assassin's Creed III".
Lindsey Stirling has already toured the USA and Europe, her Asian tour is about to start. Still, being constantly giving concerts doesn't prevent Lindsey from composing music, communicating with fans and creating new breath-taking videos. She enjoys working and never stops surprising her audience all over the world.
Religion
Lindsey Stirling says that playing the violin helps her to express her love to Christ. In 2010 she started her 18-month mission in New York City, helping troubled teenagers. Lindsey says that faith is very important for her, as it helped her to overcome anorexia. In 2013 the young violinist took part in an action "I Am a Mormon", describing in the Internet her faith and the way she feels about believing in God. Lindsey does her best applying religious principles to everyday life and she is happy that her team supports her in this:
"The music industry has a set of standards of its own. I cannot count the number of times I have been offered drugs backstage, or invited to participate in a number of other activities that could harm me or others. I live the gospel every day as I make decisions that help me stay true to my standards. I am a touring musician and I love that there is a clean, drug free, respectful and safe atmosphere on my tour bus".
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Quotations:
If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
-Thomas Edison