(Photo Credit: Heather Koepp)
I chatted with Lindsey Stirling about her career, her experience on “Dancing With The Stars” and how struggles inspire her.
When did you know the violin was for you?
I can’t even remember actually. But I was told that when I was six years old, I started begging for lessons. I DO remember my first lesson though.
I read that you had to take half lessons?
Yes, so my parents didn’t have a lot of extra cash lying around. In order to afford the lesson, they bargained with the teacher and said they could do fifteen minutes. Which isn’t standard obviously. I’m very grateful for that teacher as you can imagine.
How have you grown from your first release to now?
Oh. So much! I’ve learned about how the industry works; how to execute; how to be a better dance and writer..it’s like a night and day difference. Once I started touring, that’s when I learned how to put on a good show. So you have to work at it to really improve and hone your craft.
If you had one superpower, what would it be and why?
I think it would be to help people feel empathy. I think it could change the world because then people will make better decisions knowing how it could affect others.
If you could collaborate with two people living or dead, who would it be and why?
I can choose TWO?! The first would be Michael Jackson. He changed music FOREVER. He was such an icon in every way possible. And you know what? John Williams! He’s inspired me so much already. I would love to compose a film score with him one day.
I have many of his pieces on my old iPod..yes it still works!
Honestly, John Williams was the soundtrack of the Millennial childhood. All the music takes you back to all these points in your life. It’s pretty special.
You were on season 5 of “America’s Got Talent.” The quarterfinals didn’t go as well as you had hoped. How did that shape you going forward?
I am VERY grateful for that experience because it kickstarted my career in a lot of ways. Obviously it put me in front of millions of people. But I learned in that minute that fifteen minutes of fame doesn’t mean much. You have to build your career brick by brick. It also taught me to pick myself up when I fall down. You may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have what it takes. You can improve and improve and improve.
On the other side of the reality show spectrum, you were the runner up on “Dancing With The Stars.” I specifically remember your dance to “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”; it just sticks in my mind
::laughs:: Oh thank you!
Was that a jive?
Yes, it was a jive! It was probably the favorite dance that I did. That show was such a dream experience. I’ve always wanted to learn how to dance. but I got to work with one of the best ballroom coaches in the world. It was literally a dream come true.
You’ve performed all over the world. What has it been like to sit back and experience it?
It’s been incredible. When I was young, if we couldn’t drive there, we didn’t go. If it wasn’t free, it didn’t happen. I feel like my life has expanded like I never would’ve anticipated. I’ve gotten to meet different people and cultures, and we’re just connected in a way I never knew.
So you travel, you perform, you do interviews, etc. If you have three days off, what are you doing?
Ohhh. I love to go see my sister in Missouri. She has the three most beautiful children. I’ll visit them on the farm and take a big step out of my world. I spent most of the pandemic there, actually.
What would you tell your twelve year old self?
I would tell my twelve year old self to buckle up because it’s going to be a great ride. I would tell my thirty nine year old self that everything will be okay, because everything always is. Whether it’s after a breakup, a loss, or a huge disappointment..it’s a beautiful thing to realize that you made it through.
Do you feel all those struggles help your creativity?
I do. But I don’t write good music when I’m sad. I am the best creative when I’m HAPPY. It may seem counterintuitive, but for me it’s the overcoming process. I may be writing about the hardships, but I’m writing about them from a place of healing. It makes the writing have depth.
Are you excited about bringing your Duality Untamed Tour to Vienna?
I LOVE Wolf Trap, but it’s been such a long time. We love how really great crowds in the Mid-Atlantic. I can remember playing The Hamilton for the first time. They gave us a little hard drive of the recording of the show. They edited it with multi-cams and we thought we were the biggest rockstars in the world. I just found it a while ago and laughed so hard because I was barely moving when I performed. I have so many key memories in that area so I can’t wait to come back!
Lindsey headlines Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va on July 14th! Buy tix