When a young Lindsey Stirling shared that she wanted to meld the sound of her violin with electronic music, others tried to dissuade her.
But the 2005 Mesquite High School graduate soon learned that being different has been “a great thing.”
“When I started, I kept being told that I was too different and there wasn’t a market for what I was doing because it was too outside the box,” she said. “I found that what people thought would be my greatest demise is my greatest advocate. I’m the only one who’s doing what I’m doing and it’s worked out well.”
Thanks to her talents, Stirling has been included in Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 In Music: The Class Of 2015. Her song with Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale, “Shatter Me,” hit No. 2 on The Billboard 200 album chart, and she has more than 6 million subscribers on YouTube.
“I think it’s cool doing things the YouTube way,” she explained. “It allows you to become connected to the fans on a personal level. They feel like they’re part of my journey more so, rather than just relying on label or radio to make things happen for me. By watching my videos and sharing them, they’re a part of my story.”
Her list of accolades grew when she was given the Billboard Music Award for the collection “Shatter Me” for Top Dance/Electronic Album against such stiff competition as Avicii, Calvin Harris, Disclosure and Skrillex.
“It was very exciting,” Stirling said. “I was nominated with some of my idols. I love Skrillex, he introduced me to dub step in the first place. I love Calvin Harris. To be nominated with them was a huge honor. When I won I was so shocked and excited.” Due to her busy schedule, she hasn’t had time to really cherish her award.
“I’ve been on tour ever since I got it,” she exclaimed. “I had to send it home with my manager, but I’m definitely going to put it on my little mantle next to my bed. It’ll keep me motivated and excited.”
While she was at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Stirling joined Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth on stage to perform the former No. 1 song “See You Again” from the “Furious 7” soundtrack.
“It was a huge honor,” Stirling said. “That whole day was mind blowing. It felt so surreal. I never thought I’d be playing with Wiz Khalifa on stage, let alone on the No. 1 song in the country at the moment. It was a surreal day. I couldn’t believe anything that happened. Luckily, my sister was with me, so she could help me remember that it actually did happen and it was real.”
Following her dream
Stirling has always been fascinated with dance and violin. She told her parents she wanted both, but they said she had
to choose one. Stirling chose the violin, but slowly incorporated dancing in her performance.
She explained that it’s “unnatural” to play violin and dance; it took a lot of practice to nail that part of her performance.
Pursuing a career in music since just after high school, Stirling says she’s glad that she went in with her eyes shut.
“I had no idea what was ahead,” Stirling explained. “I had no idea it was going to be an up and down journey. I was naïve as to how hard it would be. The naivete kept me excited and going. Every single step was a big and exciting step. Rather than just looking up to see how far the climb was, I was just excited about every little foot hole that I found—every bit. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise that I didn’t know what was ahead.”
Her road to stardom included collaborations with The Piano Guys, Pentatonix, John Legend, Owl City, Jessie J. and—her favorites—Josh Groban and The Muppets.
“It was fascinating to watch them work,” she said of The Muppets. “They’ve done it for years. While I was there, one of the guys celebrated his 30th anniversary of working with The Muppets. They’re such pros. It was really cool to watch them. The moment they became these puppets, it came to life. It went from this puppet to this character. It was so cool to watch that transformation happen within a second.”
Among the most popular collaborations is the aforementioned “Shatter Me,” which debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart for the week ending Nov. 8, 2014. The tale of empowerment was her first single to enter an American airplay chart.
“That song is almost therapeutic to perform every night,” she said. “It’s my story and it’s about me learning to love myself again. I hid myself behind this shell and that’s the reason I called it ‘Shatter Me.’ The hardest walls to break through are the ones that we build around ourselves. That’s what I learned. I built some pretty thick walls around myself. So I had to shatter what I thought was me and discover what I had underneath.”
Coming home
Stirling will reunite with her family when she performs a hometown show at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix on Thursday, Aug. 13.
“I can’t wait to come back,” she said. “It’s so fun. I get to have my parents come and my friends come. There’s something special about going to your hometown and playing in front of friends, peers and family members.”
Performing in Phoenix or Provo, Utah, where she attended Brigham Young University, is stressful for Stirling.
“Whenever you have family or friends coming out, there’s definitely extra pressure. You want to do your best in front of the people you care about or people you love or love you.”
Stirling plans on indulging in the comforts of home while she’s in the Valley.
“I love to go to Café Rio,” she said with a giggle. “That’s one of my favorite places. I love to go home and go to my parents’ house. They still live in the house where I grew up. I love to sleep in my old bedroom, have my mom’s home cooking, play games. I get to see the family dog. I love that.”
Like the rest of her tour, her Phoenix show will include a premiere of the song
“Firefly,” which will offer a surprise for fans.
“It’s really different,” she said. “I actually sing on it. I never sing. My fans have been asking me to sing for forever. They wanted me to write a song that I can sing. I decided to give the people what they want.”
She admitted that it was nervewracking.
“I was so nervous before the first show,” she said. “Nobody’s expecting this. I never sing live. So it was definitely scary. My fans are so supportive, though. They cheer me on every single night when I sing. It’s cool.”
Lindsey Stirling performs with Lights at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Tickets are $38.50 and $48.50. For more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.comericatheatre.com.
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Mesquite High School graduate Lindsey Stirling plays a hometown show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Comerica Theatre. GSN photo by Kimberly Carrillo
Lindsey Stirling. Photo by Kate sZatmari
Baker shares passion for arts with children, adults
BY KENNETH LAFAVE
Clyde Baker came to Arizona to start a charter school, and ended up an impresario.
“Every night, there’s something going on here,” Baker said, relaxing in the 100-seat theater that is part of the Baker School of Music complex in SanTan Village Mall.
And every day, too, he could have added. More than 500 children pour through the doors of the Baker School weekly, some to take daytime lessons in guitar, keyboard, drums, voice, acting, dancing, hip-hop, strings and winds. Evening visitors come to rehearse musicals—three different shows at a time, each with multiple casts.
The school’s productions are unique in two ways.
“There are no auditions. We cast 25 kids in every production, and the first 25 to show up are in,” Baker explained.
(“Footloose,” Baker’s first production to feature adults, is an exception. An audition will be required.) Parents pay from $80 to $160 per child, depending on the show.
August will bring performances of “Seussical Jr.,” the kiddie version of Broadway’s popular “Seussical, the Musical.” During August, Baker will also be casting its next three shows: “101 Dalmatians,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Footloose.” Call (480) 313-7714 or visit www.bakerschoolofmusic.com.
The casts, made of children between the ages of 5 and 16, are then coached by young, professional directors one night per week,
“People said you can’t do that, rehearsing just one night a week. But it works. The kids take it very seriously. They do their homework and they’re off book (their lines are memorized) by the third rehearsal,” Baker said.
After seven weeks of rehearsals, the shows are performed.
Passion for music
Baker founded Baker School of Music five years ago in Mesa, but moved to a
Gilbert location shortly afterward, and to SanTan Village Mall last year. He came to Arizona from New York, with a stopover in Las Vegas.
“My passion has always been music, since I was a child,” Baker said. “And my greatest desire was to run something like this place. I didn’t even know it was possible.”
Baker played trumpet as a young New Yorker, and studied conducting at The Juilliard School. Columbia University was his final educational stop, where he concentrated on administration. He worked as a band director for Temple University in Philadelphia, and as a high school principal for New York public schools.
His ultimate aim was to run an independent school, and to do that, he came west.
“I wanted to start a charter school, and most places in the country discouraged that. But not Arizona,” Baker said.
When Baker arrived here, he saw the burgeoning popularity of private music schools and changed his focus. At about the same time, he seized another opportunity, this one in Las Vegas,
where he founded a talent agency. Today, he runs the Baker School concurrently with Clyde Baker Productions in Las Vegas.
He also continues to perform as a musician, singing and playing keyboards at Vegas casinos.
The latest addition to Baker’s Gilbert enterprise is a music store, selling guitars, keyboards, trumpets, clarinets, school band method books, etc. But by far the biggest thing is the musicals.
“Musical theater is now half of my business. It’s fun, and the kids love being involved in Disney-type productions,” Baker said.
Rehearsals occupy Baker’s theater six nights a week, and on the seventh—Friday nights—the school sponsors a free openmic night.
“Anybody with a musical talent can show up and share it,” Baker said. “The open mic packs the house.”
Baker said his workdays are 15 hours long, but the fulfillment of a dream doesn’t register as labor.
“I don’t even think of it as work.”
Clyde Baker. GSN Photo by Tim Sealy
Baker’s latest addition is a music store.
GSN Photo by Tim Sealy
ON STAGE
Jo Dee Messina, Friday, Aug. 7, HAC. Messina’s concert will feature her trademark hits as well as songs from her most recent album, “Me.”
The Wailers, Saturday, Aug. 8, HAC. The band carries a strong reggae history as the remaining members of Bob Marley & The Wailers.
Rodney Carrington, Saturday, Aug. 8, WHP. Rodney Carrington is a comedian, actor, singer and songwriter.
Queen Nation, Friday, Aug. 14, HAC. The band pays homage to the legendary rock band, Queen.
America, Friday, Aug. 14, WHP. Grammywinning rock group America was formed in 1970 by multi-instrumentalists Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley.
Sugar Thieves, Friday, Aug. 14, CCA. The Sugar Thieves have a sultry blues roots foundation and powerhouse delta sound.
Emily’s D+Evolution, Saturday, Aug. 15, MAC. Grammy Award-winning singer, composer and bassist Esperanza Spalding will perform songs from her newest project that rekindled her childhood interest in theater, poetry and movement.
Justin Shandor “World’s Ultimate Elvis Concert,” Saturday, Aug. 15, WHP. Shandor’s voice is so strong that he was asked to sing a song written by Elvis more than 40 years ago by one of Elvis’ writers.
Nashville Gold: The Story of Country Music, Sunday, Aug. 16, WHP. Attendees hear all the hits and feel like they have a front row seat at the Opry House or in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“American Idol Live!” Sunday, Aug. 16, MAC. The concert will give fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with the top five Idols from season 14.
Jackson Browne, Thursday, Aug. 20, MAC. Jackson’s career began in the mid‘60s in Los Angeles and Orange County folk clubs.
Dash Berlin, Friday, Aug. 21, MDNC. The trance artist was the first DJ to perform at the Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo 35th Anniversary Tour, Friday, Aug. 21, WHP. Along the way, the union of Pat Benatar and Neil “Spyder” Giraldo has become one of the most successful in music history and their legacy continues to be celebrated across the globe.
Tres Guitarras, Friday, Aug. 21, CCA. Tres Guitarras features Chris Jacome–flamenco; Bob Fahey–blues and Stan Sorenson–jazz.
“Something’s Afoot,” Friday, Aug. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 10, HCT. Watch the mystery unfold when a group of unlucky guests meet its untimely demise.
Henry Fong, Friday, Aug. 28, MDNC. His big room progressive and electro-house sound, combined with his precise DJ skills have launched Fong as one of the best new dance acts around.
Sinbad, Saturday, Aug. 29, WHP. Actor and comedian Sinbad arrived on the comedy scene with a “hit ’em-in-the face” style of comedy that has kept audiences laughing for the past two decades.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Wednesday, Sept. 2, MAC. The Australian Pink Floyd Show is rightfully hailed as one of the leading concert performances currently operating.
Plugged In, Saturday, Sept. 12, CCA. The Chandler Center for the Arts, along with Rock ‘n’ Roll High School select the top nine bands to perform at the center’s signature youth concert, Plugged In.
Ballet Hispanico, Wednesday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 18, MAC. Ballet Hispanico will perform an eveninglength masterpiece of “CARMEN. maquia.”
Bowling for Soup, Monday, Sept. 21, LW. The Texas-based band Bowling for Soup is known for such hits as “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” “Almost,” “High School Never Ends” and “1985.” It is touring with special guests Dolly Rots and Ivory Tribe.
DOUGLAS
“Carnival of Illusion,” Saturday, Sept. 26, MAC. This top-rated attraction is “revitalizing magic” by blending its international theme with all the charms of a Vaudeville-inspired road show.
“Swan Lake,” Friday, Oct. 2, CCA. The Russian Grand Ballet will present the full-length classic production of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.”
VENUES
CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www. chandlercenter.org
HCT—Hale Center Theatre
50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 497-1181, www. haletheatrearizona.com
HAC—Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa Tickets: (480) 802-5000, www. harrahsakchin.com
LW—Livewire
7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 970-1112 or www. Livewireaz.com
Cazzette, Friday, Oct. 16, MDNC. Alexander Björklund and Sebastian Furrer, better known by their stage name Cazzette, are a dance music duo from Sweden.
DVBBS, Saturday, Oct. 24, MDNC. Canadian dance music duo DVBBS, pronounced dubs, is comprised of brothers Christopher and Alex van den Hoef.
MAC—Mesa Arts Center One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www. mesaartscenter.com
MDNC—Maya Day + Nightclub
7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 284-6033, www. mayaclubaz.com
In celebration of its 30th season, Ballet Arizona commences this upcoming season with a celebration under the night sky. Ballet Under the Stars takes place from Sept. 24 through Oct. 2 at locations throughout the Valley and is free and open to the public.
Perfectly timed for audiences to bask in Arizona’s wonderful fall weather, Ballet Under the Stars also offers guests the opportunity to experience a full ballet, complete with stage, lighting, costumes and the stunning level of choreography that Ballet Arizona has become known for.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. and the dates will be as follows: Thursday, Sept. 24, at Beardsley Park in Sun City West; Friday, Sept. 25, at Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater in Goodyear; Saturday, Sept. 26, at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix; Thursday, Oct. 1, at Tempe Center for the Arts Amphitheater in Tempe; and Friday, Oct. 2, at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills.
For more information, head to www. balletaz.org/community-outreach/balletunder-the-stars/.
Charitable work vital to People Who Could Fly
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
With the release of its new album “Compass,” the local pop-rock band People Who Could Fly is finding its way.
The quintet is using its local fanbase to build a buzz regionally and nationally—and it’s all for a good cause. One dollar from each sale of “Compass” goes to Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation. The original shock rocker has been good to People Who Could Fly.
“We were finalists last year in the ‘Proof is in the Pudding’ competition,” said Gilbertbased singer James Mills of Cooper’s annual contest that results in a spot in his Christmas Pudding concert.
“We weren’t chosen for the show, but we are one of six bands who is going to be on an album.”
That collection is a Christmas album set to be released this winter. Not only did the competition help promote the band, it improved it as well.
“We feel like we gained so much from the competition that we wanted to give back to the foundation,” Mills said. “A lot of it was stage presence. We had been doing music for a long time and it got pretty solid. But the most important thing we can do is be great on stage. We worked really hard. In the spirit of Alice Cooper’s live show, we use theatrics to make it not only an auditory experience but a visual experience.”
People Who Could Fly has had plenty of support. Mills—who is joined in the band by ASU student Josh Paige, Jacob Paige of Ahwatukee, and Levi Siwek and Fletcher Milloy of Chandler—opened for 1980s favorites Howard Jones and Rick Springfield at the Good Life Festival at Encanterra in San Tan Valley last spring. Proving its versatility, it performed before rapper Wiz Khalifa at the Arizona State Fair. Most important to them, however, is charitable work. Besides donating to the Solid Rock Foundation, People Who Could Fly does private shows for kids admitted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
“It was cool. They had a camera on us and they streamed the performance throughout the hospital,” Mills said. “A lot of kids started showing up because they liked what they showed on TV. I think this goes hand in hand with giving back to the community.”
People Who Could Fly perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at SoZo Coffeehouse, 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Admission is free. For more information, call (480) 728-7696 or visit www. peoplewhocouldfly.com or www.sozocoffee. org.
Cruising for a Cause
Join the Dignity Health Foundation East Valley on November 7, 2015 to support excellent cardiac care.
Volunteers and supporters are coming together for the annual Laughter is the Best Medicine Fundraising Gala –this year’s theme is Cruising for a Cause on the Love Boat.
Our team of heart and vascular experts require the highest training and the best equipment available because they have a most important job – letting your heart love longer. So please join us on November 7, 2015 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa to show your love for excellent cardiac care in the East Valley.
For more information on the gala or how to support Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers please contact the Dignity Health Foundation Office, 480.728.3931 or visit the website, www.laughterformedicine.org
The local pop-rock band People Who Could Fly will perform Friday, Sept. 4, at SoZo Coffeehouse in Chandler. Photo by Mia Scibona
