Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alicia Enstrom. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alicia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
I am very thankful for parents that gave and allowed me copious opportunities as a child. My sisters and I were involved in music, dance, numerous sports and in various academic activities. These days, there’s a desire to hyper focus kids on one thing to make them a master and I understand that ideal. However, I think that participating in a myriad of activities gave me a wider foundation, larger tool set, and a higher tolerance to risk, failure and fear that has given me a different mindset and allowed me more opportunities throughout my career.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a classically trained violinist, composer and producer. I always loved music and the different styles within, viewing them as colors that I might utilize! Pivoting on the parent question, I used to practice standing on the piano bench, walking around, or simply doing silly things. My parents would ask what I was doing exactly and I said I’m not sure, but wouldn’t it be funny if I was on stage doing it?
I received a scholarship to Vanderbilt University to study both business and music and through a summer festival was on a list serve that offered jobs. From there, I noticed an opening for a dancing fiddle show that I had seen when I was a kid called Barrage. They were looking for a male, so naturally, I applied. I left Vanderbilt after my junior year and toured the world with this group for nearly four years. I returned to finish my degree in a semester and from there auditioned for Cirque du Soleil. I was hired for their holiday show at Madison Square and then transferred to a touring show. After ten years on the road, I returned back to Nashville to work more on my own compositions, continued to play numerous recording sessions and performed with the Nashville Symphony.
I feel like my success within the music industry has come largely from taking chances, listening to my gut, and moving forward when I knew I had learned what I needed to within the job I was in.
Because of my unique skill set, I have performed on stages throughout the world as a soloist (Royal Albert Hall, Samso Island, Cow Palace), for blockbuster movie soundtracks and video games (Call of Duty, Madden NFL, The Walking Dead), alongside Billboard 100 artists (Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, John Legend), on TV awards shows (Grammys, ACM, CMA, CMT), and with the most recognized symphonies in the world. Similarly, I can sit in the splits, dance while simultaneously playing or hanging from my ankles on a spinning hoop too if so required.
I have released numerous self-recorded/produced projects via Tone Tree Music and Music Bed of which I also perform live with looping pedals. I release music under my name as well as a series of monikers – including Under the Stars
In 2018, I won The Ear Classical Composition Competition in New York City with multiple performances at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music with my looping pedals and orchestra.
My compositions can be seen in short films, commercials, interactive video art and installation, and commissioned orchestral and dance performances and I was a top finalist in the 2020 Sundance Film Music and Design Lab.
In 2021, I won the International Songwriting Competition for Instrumental Music, was nominated for an Academy of Country Music – Specialty Instrument Player of the Year Award 2020, was the winner of the Unsigned Only International Songwriting Competition in the Instrumental Music Category for 2020, performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular NYC both 2021 and 2022 seasons, toured with Kelsea Ballerini for her Heartfirst Tour 2022, recorded fiddle for Luke Combs newest album, Getting Old – Five Leaf Clover and am currently touring the world with Ed Sheeran.
I am most proud of the diversity of work I have been able to have and similarly am thankful for the many amazing humans that I have been able to meet and learn from along the way.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think so many people have this idea that those that are successful have gotten everything they’ve ever tried for and immediately.. For me, it has been more about pulling myself up after continual failing and simply trying again over time. Through many defeats and wins over time, I believe we truly learn, gain strength and better align with where it is we’re meant to be. I’ve had many opportunities and for each one I’ve had the chance to do, hundreds never came to fruition – that old tortoise was right!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
That there is no such thing as perfection and to not beat myself up whether it’s in performance or follow through. No one is a robot and to set that expectation for myself or anyone else does nothing to help me in any way on my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.aliciaenstrom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia_enstrom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicia.enstrom
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-enstrom-9256411b
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alicia_Enstrom
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/AliciaEnstrom
- Other: AppleMusic: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alicia-enstrom/1046732533 AmazonMusic: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B00PL41ZYU/alicia-enstrom Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tyZty9rLy4JVBuhK0juZa
Image Credits
Jessie Watts – www.jessiewattsphotos.com Bexx Chin – https://bexxchin.com *anything labeled with JW is a Jessie Watts photo and anything labeled BC belongs to Bexx Chin