When I say you’re about to see a show with a violin serving as the main instrument, you probably are not thinking you’re about to see one of the most theatrical, elegant, and entertaining shows of your life. 

However, that is precisely what Lindsey Stirling is here to do. 

Following last year’s highly successful show, Stirling is bringing the holiday spirit back to Embassy Theatre with the return of her Snow Waltz Tour on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Finding her niche

Stirling is a world-renowned violinist that has combined her playing with exquisite dancing and singing. I was fortunate enough to shoot photographs of one of her shows, and I can say she put on one of the most distinctive performances I have ever seen. 

The California native always talks about how her parents made her learn classical music at a young age. As much as she despised it, she now appreciates how her roots have helped her evolve into more genres. 

Stirling competed in Season 5 of the reality TV competition show America’s Got Talent in 2010. She reached the quarterfinals, and afterward her career really began to take off. 

After a couple of music videos went viral, Stirling amassed quite the following. 

She has released six studio albums, her latest being 2022’s Snow Waltz, with multiple other singles and collaborations. Her rendition of “Hallelujah” reached No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016. 

All six of her albums have reached No. 1 on the Classical Albums chart, with 2014’s Shatter Me staying there 46 weeks. All six also reached No. 1 on Classical Crossover Albums, with 2017’s Warmer in the Winter hitting No. 1 in Top Holiday Albums, and Snow Waltz peaking at No. 2.

Partnering with Yamaha

Of her most popular songs is “Crystallize” which is reportedly the eighth-most viewed YouTube video in 2012 with 42 million views. The song inspired her very own custom violin exclusively sold by Yamaha. 

According to her website: “The design partnership combines the quality of Yamaha instruments with Stirling’s musicianship and creativity, which has brought her lifelong dream of creating a student violin to fruition and was designed with advancing violinists — and of course, the musician’s fans, in mind.”

Unforgettable performance

Stirling’s ability to bring any form of music to the violin is a sight to see. 

While most of her shows have an array of music genres, the Snow Waltz Tour is a Christmas-themed showcase. 

The way she incorporates her own music as well as covers is a nice blend of classics and fresh takes on Christmas carols heard around the world. 

If you’re imagining a quiet show with Stirling sitting on stage with a violin … get that image out of your head. Instead, imagine Cirque du Soleil with a violin in her hand as she spins through the air, singing all along the way. 

Listening to interviews, it’s apparent that it was quite the hump to get over to learn how to perform the way she does. 

She has taken what is already a difficult instrument and added in an entire other spectacle. Just her acrobatics took years of professional training and countless hours. Throw in a violin, and you can only imagine how difficult that must be. 

The show also features an incredible group of professional dancers, as well as her drummer Drew Steen and keyboardist/guitarist Ryan Riveros. 

Her shows are built for all ages. Whether you are bringing your child that looks up to Stirling for inspiration or your grandparents that want to hear some of their Christmas favorites, this show will blow them away. 

However, once again, tickets for this show are limited, as everyone already seems to know this a show you don’t want to miss.