Orianthi

“I think if you can get the right bunch of people together, and you're in the room and it just feels right, then the music will come.”

“I just love food and the art of it. There's such an art to being a good chef and the way you present food and the different ingredients you use. It's like music - you get inspiration from different genres. It's the same with art, too.”

“I think people see me, and they can't get past my looks or the fact that a girl can be serious about playing the guitar.”

“I was contacted through MySpace to come and jam out for Michael Jackson. I thought it was a joke. I forwarded it to my manager, and it actually was legitimate, so I went the next day.”

“It's hard to solo when you're walking around, especially when you're in Michael Jackson's presence. There are easier things in life to do.”

“So many people have gone through the experience of not feeling good enough.”

“Being a female guitar player back in school wasn't great, and I had to change schools so many times. The male drummers and bass players thought it was cool, but male guitar players said, 'It's a guy's thing. You should be doing something else, like playing the harp.'”

“I've always looked for ways to inspire people, especially young people, to play guitar. When I first saw Fretlight, I immediately connected with the vision. Today's kids expect technology to help them on their journey, and that's exactly what Fretlight does.”

“Christmas time... is about bringing everyone together.”

“Playing Michael Jackson's memorial service was one of the hardest things to do because it was literally a few days after he had passed, and Kenny Ortega, who was directing it all, was like 'You're gonna come out and sing.' So not only was I completely shaken up, I didn't know how I was gonna get through it.”

“I'm a fan of stuff that's on the radio that just gets you moving or whatever, and you're in the car.”

“I want to collaborate with different artists.”

“I'm constantly creating and writing.”

“To be able to work with my idols is incredible. You learn so much, and they're wonderful as people, too.”

“One of the first country artists I got to work with was Carrie Underwood at the Grammy Awards.”

“When you're up on stage, especially being a female guitar player in a male-dominated field, if they just see you're into it, and it's your passion, and you're just giving it your all - it's not, like, an accessory - then it's all cool.”

“Getting ready for a tour is a big process, and I enjoy every part of it.”

“Pushing yourself and digging into something new, that's what being a musician is all about.”