GAELYNN LEA
Musician & Public Speaker
“Velvet Underground meets Little House on the Prairie.”
Gaelynn Lea won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, and not long after she hit the road with her husband Paul. So far she has toured in 45 states and 9 countries, captivating audiences around the world with her unique mix of haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. Gaelynn Lea has appeared in several major festivals over the years, including SXSW, Winnipeg Folk Festival, and Reykjavik Arts Festival. She has also opened for well-known bands such as Wilco, The Decemberists, LOW, The Jayhawks, and the industrial rock supergroup Pigface.
In addition to performing and recording, Gaelynn also does speaking engagements about Disability Rights, finding inner freedom, and accessibility in the arts. She uses her music as a platform to advocate for disabled people and to promote positive social change. In recent years, she has shared her perspective on PBS NewsHour, OnBeing with Krista Tippett, The Moth Radio Hour, NowThis, The Science of Happiness Podcast, and via two widely-viewed TEDx Talks. Gaelynn Lea is currently working on a memoir about her childhood in Minnesota, touring adventures, and disability advocacy.
Gaelynn Lea began performing weekly YouTube concerts called “Sunday Sessions” when the pandemic interrupted her touring schedule in March 2020. Fans from all over the world continue to join her on Sunday afternoons for this interactive concert series which features improvisational live-looped violin, original songs, and a different special guest every episode. Captions are provided for Deaf and hard-of-hearing music lovers. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions, comment, and share life updates in the chat… It’s an online music club that everyone is welcome to join! To top it all off, Gaelynn recently started editing her conversations with the guest artists into a weekly audio show called “Sunday Sessions: The Podcast” on Spotify and iHeartRadio.
TUNE IN FOR GAELYNN LEA’S WEEKLY SHOW ON YOUTUBE
Watch the Replay from July 25th: “Sunday Sessions” with Special Guest Namel “Tap Waterz” Norris of 4 Wheel City!
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CHECK OUT GAELYNN LEA’S WEEKLY PODCAST
Listen to Episode 6 of “Sunday Sessions: The Podcast” with Guest Artist Namel “Tap Waterz” Norris from 4 Wheel City!
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ALBUMS
Classically trained violinist and songwriter Gaelynn Lea has been bewitching scores of fans with her haunting original songs and experimental takes on traditional fiddle music; her approach incorporates live looping, thoughtful lyrics and sonic exploration. Gaelynn has released three full-length solo albums to date…
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Gaelynn is passionate about disability education and awareness-building through public speaking engagements. She gives informative, entertaining and thought-provoking presentations on a number of topics, including disability rights, accessibility in the arts, finding inner freedom and living an enriching life. So far Gaelynn has been able…
PATREON
Thank you to the generous folks who have joined Gaelynn’s team on Patreon! Their monthly donations are making it possible for her to produce Sunday Sessions (her weekly YouTube show) and WRITE HER FIRST BOOK! Gaelynn is currently crafting a memoir about her touring…
WRITING EXERCISE: What Does It Feel Like to Fly?
What does it feel like to fly? I have often wondered this as I watch the seagulls swoop and soar above the waters of Lake Superior, our Unsalted Sea. I’m sure there are some flights that are all business — gathering food, tending to…
An Open Letter to Senator Klobuchar Regarding Arts Accessibility
Dear Senator Klobuchar, I am a disabled violinist and songwriter, and I can confidently say that the lack of accessible venues is the number one barrier I face when it comes to pursuing my career as a full-time touring artist. My choice of performance…
Governor Walz: It’s time for a Statewide Mask Ordinance
Dear Governor Walz, My name is Gaelynn Lea and I am a lifelong Minnesotan, musician, and Disability Rights advocate. I know that you care about Minnesotans from every walk of life, which is why I am urging you to enact a statewide mandatory mask…