Gaelynn Lea
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gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Gaelynn Lea
@gaelynnlea.bsky.social
560 followers 340 following 230 posts
she/her
🎻 + 🎙️ + 📕+ ♿ + 🌞 + 💖
★ Musician
★ Author of IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE PERFECT – Out 4/14 on Algonquin Books
★ Co-Founder of RAMPD.org
★ Disability Culture Enthusiast

Learn more: linktr.ee/gaelynnlea
Posts Replies Media Videos
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
My heart is heavy as I reflect on the passing of Alice Wong. She was bold, unapologetic & unflinchingly honest—yet compassionate, kind & fiercely loving + supportive of the disability community. I'm grateful to have met her briefly & for her writing, advocacy & example for living. Shine on, Alice. 🕯️
Alice Wong, an Asian-American woman with dark hair sitting in an electric wheelchair, wearing a biPap machine and a camo jacket, is posed next to Gaelynn Lea, a white woman with brown hair sitting in an electric wheelchair wearing a bright pink dress. This was the first time they met, at an event at the San Francisco library.
November 17, 2025 at 1:55 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Tonight! Gaelynn is playing at The Ripple Center with Amy Abts. A big thanks to KAXE for promoting this show!

www.kaxe.org/minnesota-mu...
Alt Text: a poster announcing an event with Gaelynn Lea. Gaelynn is pictured sitting in front of a microphone in her wheelchair, holding a bow and violin as she plays. In her dark hair is a flower barrette. The following words overlay this picture: Gaelynn Lea w/special guest Amy Abts FRI NOV 14 7 -9 PM DOORS 6 PM THE RIPPLE CENTER OPERA HOUSE AITKIN, MN TICKETS: FOTA.TICKETLEAP.COM ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR DAY OF SHOW AITKIN COUNTY Friends of the Arts
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Artists with Disabilities Showcase – Gaelynn Lea w/special guest Amy Abts

Gaelynn will be playing with @aabts.bsky.social Friday, November 14, at The Ripple Center from 7 to 9 PM.

Ticket price – General $15/VIP $30. More information about tickets here:
www.ticketleap.events/tickets/fota...
Alt Text: a poster announcing the event with Gaelynn Lea and Amy Abts. On the left, Amy is pictured sitting in front of a microphone. She is playing a guitar and singing. She has long dark hair and is wearing a dark shirt. On the right, Gaelynn is pictured sitting in front of a microphone, holding a bow and violin as she plays. She is wearing a blue and purple dress. There is a flower barrette in her dark hair. The following words are below these pictures: THE RIPPLE CENTER The Ripple Center and Aitkin County Friends of the Arts invite you to an evening with Gaelynn Lea and Amy Abts. Join them on Friday, November 14. Music begins at 6 PM.
November 13, 2025 at 10:17 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
No snow in Duluth yet, but was just a wee bit delighted as we drove home from Marquette, Michigan in a Winter Wonderland! ❄️🌲☃️🌲❄️

Snow: love it or hate it, it sure does make the trees look gorgeous! 😍

📆 Up next, a show with @aabts.bsky.social in Aitkin, MN on November 14th: violinscratches.com/shows
A blur of pine trees covered in snow, taken from the car window as we drove by
November 11, 2025 at 2:07 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
"Artists with Disabilities Showcase – Gaelynn Lea and Amy Abts"

Gaelynn is excited to play with Amy Abts - Friday, November 14, at The Ripple Center, Aitkin, MN, from 7 PM to 9 PM

Tickets– General $15/VIP $30.

Information about tickets here:
www.ticketleap.events/tickets/fota...
Alt Text: a poster announcing an event with Gaelynn Lea. Gaelynn is pictured sitting in front of a microphone in her wheelchair, holding a bow and violin as she plays. Her brown hair holds a flower barrette. The following words overlay this picture: ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES SHOWCASE Gaelynn Lea w/special guest amy abts ...Lea plays music that heals the heart. KRUI Radio, haunting vocals, stunning instrumentation and deep, piercing lyricism. Album of the Year FRI NOV 14 7-9PM DOORS 6PM general $15 VIP /$30 THE RIPPLE CENTER OPERA HOUSE 301 MINNESOTA AVE. AITKIN, MN TICKETS: FOTA.TICKETLEAP.COM ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR WHILE SUPPLIES LAST AITKIN COUNTY Friends of the Arts ARROWHEAD REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL This show is made possible by The Legacy Agreement and the Arts and Recreation Commitee (AAC) WATER MAG The activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to the legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund MLEC fiber Riverwood HEALTHCARE CENTER MLEC
November 11, 2025 at 12:05 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Thank you to Revolve CC for having me speak at their fabulous conference on creativity & collaboration! My heart holds a special place for Lake Superior towns, & Marquette, MI did not disappoint! 💖

Two more events Minnesota coming up soon in Minne-snow-ta! ☃️ Get info here: violinscratches.com/shows
Gaelynn poses with all of the conference organizers and the other two keynote speakers in front of a large screen that has the logo for Revolve CC (creative collaboration). Everyone is smiling.
November 10, 2025 at 1:22 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Had a wonderful first day of Revolve CC in Marquette, Michigan! Today I led a round table discussion on making the creative fields more accessible and welcoming to disabled people, and tomorrow afternoon I'm giving a keynote at 2pm! 💖

I have two more events coming up soon: violinscratches.com/shows
A picture of the badge each conference participants is given. It is green and says November 7th through 8th 2025 Art and design building, Northern Michigan university, revolve cc.net. below that is a picture of the three keynote speakers, including Gaelynn Lea. At the bottom it has the logos for the national endowment for the Arts and the Michigan arts and culture council
November 8, 2025 at 2:43 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Gaelynn is excited to join Northern Michigan University at the Revolve CC Conference this weekend!

On Friday, November 7, at 4 PM ET, she will host a roundtable discussion. Saturday, November 8, at 2 PM ET, she will be the conference's keynote speaker.

Look here for more information: revolvecc.net
ID: a promotional poster announcing the Revolve CC conference. With a blurred background of an indoor space with a staircase on the right, words in bold white lettering say, 'REVOLVE cc - Revolve Creative Collaboration Conference CREATE & COLLAB & CONNECT Northern Center, Northern Michigan University'
November 5, 2025 at 12:38 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Less than six months to go until my memoir, IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE PERFECT, is finally out in the world! 🎉📕🎊

If you plan to read it, please consider ordering early... It really helps! THANK YOU for your support... I can't wait to share it with you!! 🎶💖🎻💖🎶

Pre-order link here:
linktr.ee/gaelynnlea
Pink letters at the top read New Memoir Out April 14, 2026. Below that is the book cover, which features a black and white picture of Gaelynn playing violin and pink and orange swirls around the words "Gaelynn Lea / a memoir/ It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect". Below the book cover image are the words: pre-order now: linktr.ee/gaelynnlea. The background is gray with an orange shimmery arc in the middle of the graphic .
October 26, 2025 at 11:56 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Had a yummy breakfast at Harding's Family Restaurant near Charleston, WV before hopping on the road yet again. 🥞🍳☕ Paul and I are inching closer to Minnesota, enjoying the beautiful Fall colors along the way! 🍁🍂🍃

Can't wait to get home so I can start planning the book release: linktr.ee/gaelynnlea
A picture of the large sign for Harding's Family Restaurant and a colorful hill of trees with Fall colors
October 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Thank you to Molly Joyce for bringing me to Charlottesville! 💖 I loved performing at the University of Virginia, ARC of the Piedmont, and WTJU Radio! I'm so grateful that public radio continues to support independent musicians! 🎶📻🎶

You can watch my show at WTJU here:
www.youtube.com/live/Hs4Q_Lz...
Gaelynn, Molly and Paul smile onstage at Old Cabell Hall at the University of Virginia after her Colloquium Talk. Gaelynn performs with her violin alone on the stage of Old Cabell Hall. The background lights on the stage are blue and the white spotlight creates a pool of light around her. Gaelynn performs at the ARC of the Piedmont for disabled participants in their arts program. Paul is off to her left listening, as is one of the participants. Gaelynn smiles on stage at Old Cabell Hall with Ted, a music professor at University of Virginia.
October 26, 2025 at 12:07 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
I had a wonderful time playing at Virginia Tech with the Music Inclusion Ensemble! Now I'm at University of Virginia for two events tomorrow. But first, I got to explore Molly Joyce's amazing curation of "In Feeling", a disability-centered exhibit at the Fralin Museum! ❤️♿❤️

violinscratches.com/shows
A picture of the Music Inclusion Ensemble playing at the Center for the Performing Arts at Virginia Tech, with Gaelynn in the center and an ASL interpreter to the left of the stage and a large screen with captions above them. Ashley Shew, a professor from Virginia Tech (who was one of the hosts for the concert), gets a picture backstage with Paul towards the end of the show. A picture of the exhibit entrance from far away. There is a big sign with the title "In Feeling" and a description underneath, and in the room there are several of the art installations: a relationship-themed wrestling mat, a graph of trauma and a large block of polyurethane foam. Part of the In Feeling art exhibit, this wallpaper by artist Finnegan Shannon features a number of "anti-stair" images and words, including this block of blue text with the repeating phrase "ramps are beautiful"
October 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Gaelynn Lea will be performing with Molly Joyce on Offbeat Roadhouse, a Radio Show on WTJU - this Friday, October 24, 8pm - 9pm ET

Details here: www.wtju.net/offbeat-road...
Image description: a graphic announcing a radio show with Molly Joyce and Gaelynn Lea. Across the top are two black-and-white pictures. On the left, Molly Joyce is in a dark dress covered with white circles. On the right, Gaelynn Lea, wearing a dress with patterns throughout. Her dark hair is pulled back with a flower barrette. She sits in her wheelchair holding her violin. A microphone is before her as she prepares to sing. Below these two pictures is the text: WTJU 91.1 FM, University of Virginia. Offbeat Roadhouse invites you to an evening with Gaelynn Lea and Molly Joyce. Join them for a live, hour-long concert on Friday, October 24 at 8 PM ET.
October 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Gaelynn's time in Virginia continues! After an exciting residency at Virginia Tech, she is moving on to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Gaelynn Lea will be giving a Colloquium at Old Cabell Hall on Friday, October 24, at 1-2:30 pm ET

Details here: music.virginia.edu/gaelynn-lea-...
Image description: a poster with a dark blue background and gold and white text. In the center is a photograph of Gaelynn Lea playing a violin. She is sitting in her wheelchair and holding the violin bow. The top of the poster reads: UVA Department of Music.:" UVA Gaelynn Lea Colloquium" Violinist, Singer–songwriter, Broadway composer. Below her picture reads: Friday, October 24, 1 PM - Old Caball Hall - FREE. Following this are highlights of her accomplishments: Winner of NPR's Tiny Desk Contest, Passionate advocate for disability inclusion. Composed the Broadway score for Macbeth. A QR code is located in the bottom left corner of this poster.
October 21, 2025 at 9:06 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Gaelynn is SO excited to announce her very first book-related event, a panel discussion for @libraryjournal.bsky.social Day of Dialog Fall 2025!

“Living to Tell the Tale:...” on Thurs, Oct 23rd at 10:05 – 10:55 AM ET!

Register here: www.libraryjournal.com/event/librar...
Image description: a promotional poster for the "LJ Day of Dialog". The image features a colorful, abstract background with shapes in green, yellow, and red. The top of the poster has the title "LJ DAY OF DIALOG". Below this, the text "FREE VIRTUAL EVENT" and the date "OCTOBER 23, 2025" are prominently displayed. The bottom half of the poster shows five diverse individuals in a group, facing each other in conversation. Above them are several speech bubbles of different colors and sizes, containing various symbols such as an equal sign, a question mark with an exclamation mark, and an ellipsis, representing a sense of discussion and communication.
October 20, 2025 at 11:36 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
I've had a great time so far during my residency at Virginia Tech... But the big event is yet to come! ✨🪩✨

Join us TOMORROW NIGHT (Oct 20) at Center for the Performing Arts at VT—The Music Inclusion Ensemble & Yours Truly will be performing a delightful repertoire!

Info: violinscratches.com/shows
Gaelynn is set up to play on the gymnatorium stage at Falling Branch Elementary. She is holding her violin and smiling at the camera. Gaelynn is performing for the strings students at Virginia Tech tech, who are seated in a large semi circle around Gaelynn as she plays in front of a large glass window of the orchestra classroom Gaelynn is talking to two students after the presentation in the Strings Class at Virginia Tech. A picture of the Duck Pond in Blacksburg Virginia that was a pretty stop on Gaelynn and Paul's walk yesterday.
October 20, 2025 at 3:00 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Thank you to Lake Superior Magazine for highlighting my forthcoming memoir on their website!

Check out their latest article, “Around the Circle This Week”, here: www.lakesuperior.com/lakeblogs/ar...
Image description: a graphic with two images. On the left is a picture of Gaelynn. This picture is taken outside in front of a building with large windows. She is wearing a Blue dress and a brown and blue flower in her hair. On the right is an image of the book cover of Gaelynn's soon-to-be-released memoir. The cover is a black and white photo of Gaelynn playing the violin, and the bottom half of the cover consists of pink and orange swirls that surround the words: “Gaelynn Lea - a Memoir - It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect”. Above these two images reads: Lake Superior Magazine.
October 14, 2025 at 12:31 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Paul and I are an hour away from Blacksburg, VA! We took a little detour to visit Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, OH. 🌲🏞️😍

We'll be at Virginia Tech for a weeklong residency culminating in a performance with the Music Inclusion Ensemble on October 20! 🎶🎻🎶

Details here:
violinscratches.com/shows
Gaelynn and Paul pose by a rock face that's covered in ferns by Conckles Hollow. The absolutely enormous rock face and overhang at Ash Cave. Gaelynn and Paul pose under a huge rock overhang at Ash Cave. A rock wall with ferns growing in the cracks that is bathed in light on Conckles Hollow Trail.
October 14, 2025 at 12:11 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Awww, there's a little piece of my heart in Leeds, UK! ❤️🇬🇧❤️ My friend Sarah Stratham submitted a few gig posters to the @leedscitycouncil.bsky.social "Music Leeds Us" Exhibit, and apparently my show poster from 2019 is now on display! 🥰

Details here: museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/music-leeds-...
a large version of gaelynn's 2019 show at the Brudenell Social Club is on the wall of the museum. It features a black and white picture of Gaelynn playing the violin, with blue swirls for decoration.
October 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Thanks SO MUCH to Jackson Symphony Orchestra for hosting me in Jackson, MI last night! ❤️ Everyone there was absolutely delightful, and it supported DisAbility Connect, the area Center for Independent Living, which provides important services to help disabled people maintain their independence.
Gaelynn poses with three audience members after the show. She's wearing a blue paisley dress and has ladybug wings on the back of her wheelchair. Everyone is smiling.
October 12, 2025 at 11:39 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
👋 Hello, Recording Academy Members!

🎶 GRAMMYs® Season is almost here!

🗳️ I voted... Did you?

⌛ First round voting closes October 15th!

👂 For Your GRAMMY® Consideration: I submitted my album Music From Macbeth (Contemporary Inst. & Inst. Composition) & my song Perfect (American Roots Performance)!
Left Side: Brown background that reads: YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE! I VOTED! FIRST ROUND VOTING FOR GRAMMYS ОСТ. 3 - ОСТ. 15, 2025 GRAMMY AWARDS Right Side: Blue background that reads “FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: Music From Macbeth BY GAELYNN LEA with a picture of the orange album cover at the bottom, which features an illustrated lantern and a dark blue border of thistles and swords and moons and skulls.
October 12, 2025 at 11:36 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Gaelynn Lea just arrived in Jackson, Michigan, for the Music on Tap series, co-hosted by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Disability Connection! Join us tomorrow night, October 11, 2025 - 7:00 pm at Weatherwax Hall for an evening of music with Gaelynn Lea.

Details here: violinscratches.com/shows
Image description: an announcement with a background shaded with brown and gray and a picture of Gaelynn sitting in her wheelchair. She has brown hair with a red flower barrette and is wearing a white dress with a yolk of circular Black and white flowers. She is holding her violin and bow. The announcement reads: ‘Experimental Folk 10/11/25 featuring Gaelynn Lea in partnership with disAbility Connections’
October 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
It was a big week for my memoir! 📖📚 I’m so excited pre-orders have officially begun… Thank you to everyone who has already purchased a copy of my book! ❤️

My latest newsletter is below—including a Halloween-themed story that was cut from the memoir! 🎃

Find it here:
open.substack.com/pub/gaelynnl...
This is the cover reveal for Gaelynn’s new book, against the backdrop of a violin and some sheet music. The cover is a black and white photo of Gaelynn playing the violin, and the bottom half of the cover consists of pink and orange swirls that surround the words: “Gaelynn Lea - a Memoir - It Wasn’t Meant to Be Perfect”.
October 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
In case you missed it, last week People published an excerpt from my memoir! You can read it at the link below. I can't wait to share the rest of the book with you when it comes out in April! 🥳📖❤️

Read the excerpt: people.com/gaelynn-lea-...

Pre-order here: www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/gaely...
Screenshot of the people article. The picture at the bottom on the left is of Gaelynn Lea smiling in a dark blue dress, and on the right there is a picture of her book cover. A black and white photo of her playing the violin with some pink and orange swirls at the bottom half with the title "It Wasn't Meant to be Perfect" written within the swirls.
October 7, 2025 at 2:50 AM
gaelynnlea.bsky.social
Gaelynn Lea is the guest keynote speaker and performer at the Music on Tap series of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.

Join us if you can, 7:00 pm on October 11, 2025, at Weatherwax Hall (215 W. Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI)

Details here: www.disabilityconnect.org/the-inclusio...
Image description: an announcement with a background shaded with brown and gray and the picture of Gaelynn sitting in her wheelchair. She has brown hair with a red flower barrette and is wearing a white dress with a yolk of circular Black and white flowers. She is holding her violin and bow. The announcement reads: ‘Experimental Folk 10/11/25 featuring Gaelynn Lea in partnership with disAbility Connections’
October 6, 2025 at 9:18 PM