Lindsey Stirling
I got all these books about, like, what you need to know to enter the entertainment industry. And I remember I sent my music to record labels, and I took these little DVDs and sent them all over the place. And either no one got back to me or they just kept saying, 'You're too different.'
There is one person that I have learned always sees the beauty in us, and that's our Savior Jesus Christ.
I have been so incredibly blessed, and I just feel like my calling is to be a missionary and share the gospel... The Lord's given me a platform to stand on and an audience that is listening. I feel like it's so important to share what makes me happy.
I draw inspiration from my life, and, honestly, a lot of my religious beliefs have stemmed into my music.
It really is ironic that the saddest I'd ever been was when I had 'achieved' all the things I had wanted. I was so disgustingly thin, but I was so unhappy.
It is so cool to be able to stand as a witness of Christ and to be able to be proud of it and be part of His army.
It is very unnatural to dance while playing the violin. I had to practice so hard to learn how to do it, but now it is part of my expression, and it comes naturally. I have to know a song perfectly before I can even begin to move.
Once I know a song really well, I can then have fun dancing.
It was Skrillex who got me into dubstep. He made it melodic - not just a bunch of crazy sounds.
I want to make dubstep something beautiful.
Going to college is an amazing opportunity to not only learn and be book-smart but also to kind of stretch your wings and expand yourself as a human and as an artist, whatever it is you're going for.
Violinists' hands aren't the prettiest because of our nails and what our hands have to go through.
As a dancing violinist, there have been a couple of moments where I'm like, 'Oops! This is an expensive mistake!'
Every time before I go into the studio, I say a prayer, and I really ask God for inspiration.
I really feel like sometimes I'll write these songs, and I'll just think, 'You know that couldn't have come from me alone.' I believe that God inspires us. I believe that He gives us gifts and talents, and it's up to us to develop them and choose what we do with them.
I feel like when I'm on stage and when I'm performing - or I think when anybody is developing their talents and sharing it - I think you glow.
I originally went to school to be a filmmaker. And so it's a big part of how I think and how I write. And it inspires me a lot.
I was classically trained. But more than just the fact that I play violin, there's a lot of classical elements in the way I write, in the way I hear chords. A lot of times, I think of my songs as a symphony made out of electronics rather than instruments. And I love to do orchestral arrangements of my songs after they're done.
There is such an advantage to self-releasing. If you can do it yourself, it's the best way to go. In Europe and the rest of world outside the U.S., I have licensed my music to labels. But it's amazing because I still own all the masters. I didn't have to give up any of those rights. I have 100 percent creative control.
There are so many things that can go wrong while performing. I've had violin strings break; I've had pants that were slowly falling down, and I'd have to pull them up in between every song; my hairpiece was falling out, so a big chunk of hair was just flapping around as I danced, and I've completely fallen on my butt.
What gives my art the most meaning is when I can connect with others through it. When people say that my music has helped them, or it makes them feel good, or it inspires them, that is what gives my art lasting meaning to me.
A lot of my writing comes from the themes of my life, and a lot of that stems from my faith. I also strive to be a light through which Christ can shine, whether it's through the way I dress, though my videos, or through my music.
Europe in general is a great place for me, but specifically Germany has been very good to me. Germans love classical music... Electronic dance music is massive over there, so I'm kind of the marriage between the two.
By finding the courage to be ourselves, we gain the power to make a difference.Collection: Inspirational
We all have negative days, but that doesn't mean we are pessimistic. We all do stupid things, but that doesn't mean we are stupid. It's important to be able to distinguish between what happens to us and who we are, and look forward with hope for new and better days ahead!Collection: Stupid
Rise above your circumstances, change the world one person at a time starting with you, and be the inspiration you’ve been searching for.Collection: Inspiration
Are you maximizing your minute or are you making the most of the moment?Collection: Maximizing
No one should be afraid to be themselves.Collection: Should
I want to prove that you don't have to conform to be accepted. The greatest Value comes from loving yourself for who you are.Collection: Loving Yourself
Make a difference no matter what role you playCollection: Play
I guess you never know what's going to come at you in life, but the answer is never to crawl into a box and throw in the towel. There is good that can come from anything, even if it's just a later laugh and a good story.Collection: Laughing
The only reason I am successful is because I have stayed true to myself.Collection: Successful
The greatest value comes from loving yourself for who you are. I've been teaching myself this for years, so I hope that by showing what I've learned, others can find the same freedom and joy I have.Collection: Teaching
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. It's people; friends and family that fulfil us. All else, fame, popularity, beauty, is so fleeting.Collection: Children