LINDSEY STIRLING

Lindsey Stirling is a fiddler who really could dance on a roof. The 26-year-old violinist, who was reared on masters like Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Mozart, has created her own style fusing classical with pop, house and hip-hop. Her spunky stage presence, top-notch technical chops and ninja-like dance moves have put her on the map as a singular act. “My musical style is a reflection of my personality,” she says, “and through it I hope to share my belief that no one should be afraid to be himself or herself. All my songs were created to depict specific themes I pulled from my own life experiences.”

In 2010, Stirling appeared as a finalist on America’s Got Talent and performed on CBS This Morning. But it wasn’t until she posted her wildly cinematic videos that her career truly took flight. Her YouTube channel—Lindseystomp, which has received more than 211 million views—became an instant sensation, garnering her an entirely new audience. “I feel that the lack of lyric-driven content makes my music powerful,” she says. “I have put my own personal experiences into each track, but it’s for the listener to decide what the music means to them.”

Stirling’s self-titled debut album, featuring 12 original instrumentals, topped the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart, and launched a sold-out domestic tour including venues in New York City and L.A. Stirling, who will embark on an international tour later this year, is currently completing a degree in therapeutic recreation at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Performing, though, remains her passion. Her mission is to serve as a messenger for those who might lack the courage to express themselves. “I believe that through our thoughts, beliefs and the environments we create, we possess the power to make a positive change within ourselves and others,” she says.