Gaelynn Lea

Image description: a round table and one chair. An Advent wreath is placed in the center of this table with four candles, greenery, and a brass candle snuffer. Two of the candles are lit. On the wall behind the table hangs a wreath with greenery and red poinsettias.

Happy Holidays, Friends!

I published a new essay on how accepting the darkness in our own lives can help us find the way to the light. I send you good wishes this season.

Hope to see you at my Substack Zoom Hangout - Sunday, Dec. 14!

Essay/event info: gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/a-spirit-a...

Image description: A graphic promoting Gaelynn’s upcoming event. Framed with holly and berries, with a background shaded in red and green, the graphic reads: Holiday Zoom Hangout, Sunday, December 14, 2 PM CT (8 PM UK) for paid subscribers. Join Gaelynn Lea to share your favorite holiday traditions, festive recipes (easy or hard!), and hopes for the new year. Surrounding these details are two circles with gathering information. On the left: 14 December; on the right: 2 PM CT. Below, three images appear: a red stocking with holly, a wreath with a large red bow, and a red cup filled with a drink and a cinnamon stick.

Join Gaelynn Lea for another Sunday Substack Hangout on December 14th at 2pm CT! Zoom captions will be enabled by default, but if you need ASL interpretation, send a message here: Booking@gaelynnlea.com

Event is for paid subscribers only - join here to get the Zoom link: gaelynnlea.substack.com

Image description: three pictures of Gaelynn’s first trip to the UK in 2016, with a red background set to a Christmas theme, featuring white dots that look like glowing lights. The top picture shows Gaelynn and Paul in an Irish field, sitting in front of two donkeys inside a fence. There are mountains and water in the background. The bottom left picture shows Gaelynn, Paul, and Leah sitting in a row, mid-flight to Prague. The picture on the bottom right shows an evening in London on a bridge strung with white lights. Gaelynn is stealing a kiss from Paul as Paul smiles into the camera.

Gaelynn wishes you a happy holiday season and many fun adventures in the New Year! This time of year always reminds her of her very first tour overseas with Paul and her best friend, Leah.

She wrote about that first overseas tour in her memoir. Pre-order it here: violinscratches.com/book

My memoir is coming out on April 14, 2026! I've signed a limited number of copies, and I'd love for you to have one.

Pre-order today at premierecollectibles.com/perfect

A four photo collage. Top left: Gaelynn Lea is smiling with the late disability activist Alice Wong at their first meeting in San Francisco back in 2018. They are both seated in their electric wheelchairs. Top right: Gaelynn is smiling with the late disability activist Judy Heumann at their first meeting in Washington, DC back in 2017. They are both seated in their electric wheelchairs, and Gaelynn holding her violin in her chair. Bottom left: Gaelynn Lea is smiling with the disabled singer-songwriter Amy Abts at their show together last weekend. Amy is standing next to Gaelynn’s wheelchair, and Gaelynn holding her violin in her chair. Bottom right: Gaelynn Lea is smiling with the disabled pastor, Laura Cannata, after speaking and playing at Laura’s church last weekend. Laura is wearing a white minister’s robe and has a blue sash around her next with disability symbols.

I wrote a Substack essay recently expressing my gratitude for the loving connections that activists like Alice Wong and Judy Heumann forged in the disability community during their lifetimes. May we continue to connect and support each other. ❤️

Read it here: gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/grateful-f...

On ‘Music from Macbeth,’ Gaelynn Lea Turns a King’s Tragedy into Personal Triumph | Strings Magazine Lea’s first album in five years blends droning rock-violins, electronics, traditional fiddling, twangy guitars, whistling, and rock drums.

Somehow, Gaelynn missed the release of this article in Strings Magazine. She wanted to share the review of her Music from Macbeth album. It was fun to talk to Greg Cahill about the making of this experimental recording.

Read it here or at the link in her bio:
stringsmagazine.com/on-music-fro...

Alice's work certainly isn't over. She left an imprint on disability justice & disability culture that will shape our world for generations... But she will be missed. Sending love and light to her family & friends—to any & all who are grieving this tremendous loss. May her memory carry us forward. ❤️

Disability Visibility Project "Creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture"

If you haven't read Alice Wong's books or delved into her interviews, please check out disabilityvisibilityproject.com.

Alice touched SO MANY LIVES, including mine. Her work exposed me to disability stories I had never heard before, challenged my assumptions & pushed me to do better as an advocate.

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.

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. 🕯️

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

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 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.

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...

Rochester musician Amy Abts on online dating, performing with Low and trusting herself after hearing loss Amy Abts is a Rochester musician who has been performing for more than three decades. But her impact stretches across the state.

Gaelynn was excited to see Amy Abts featured on MPR!

www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

P.P.S. My grandpa was a Secretary/Treasurer for the Teamsters back in the day, so this story hit a little extra close to home! 😇🪽

P.S. I know the article is a bit old, but I just read the paper copy of @laborworld.bsky.social today so I came across the story a bit late, the analog way! 😉📰

Teamsters Win University of Minnesota Strike, With Help from Farm Aid Some 1,400 Teamster service workers at the University of Minnesota won a resounding victory in a five-day walkout that showcased their militancy and underscored the power of solidarity. “This is what ...

Had to share this article... Gotta say, with all the bad news these days, this victory for Labor made me get a little teary-eyed. 🥹 Way to go, Minnesota Teamsters and Willie Nelson and Bobby-D and the truckers and all the rest! 💗

labornotes.org/2025/09/team...

A blur of pine trees covered in snow, taken from the car window as we drove by

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

@aabts.bsky.social will be opening the show and I caaaaan'tttt waaaaittt to hear her again after all these years! We played a show together in Rochester, during pre-pandemic times. It will be a delightful musical reunion!! ❤️

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

"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...

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.

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

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 .

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

Feed Your Brain, Feed Your Spirit, Feed Your Community  🍽️ A list of things that have been keeping my heart above water this Fall. Plus: I'm donating 50% of my Bandcamp proceeds to Second Harvest Food Bank + Upcoming Events!

It’s November already! This month I share what has been nourishing my mind and spirit as of late, and I announce that 50% of my Bandcamp proceeds between now & the end of the year will go to Second Harvest Food Bank! Take care, Friends & thanks for reading! ❤️

gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/feed-your-...

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.

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

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

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

Feed Your Brain, Feed Your Spirit, Feed Your Community  🍽️ A list of things that have been keeping my heart above water this Fall. Plus: I'm donating 50% of my Bandcamp proceeds to Second Harvest Food Bank + Upcoming Events!

It’s November already! This month I share what has been nourishing my mind and spirit as of late, and I announce that 50% of my Bandcamp proceeds between now & the end of the year will go to Second Harvest Food Bank! Take care, Friends & thanks for reading! ❤️

gaelynnlea.substack.com/p/feed-your-...

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'

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

Graphic for Console Room 2026 is a black square with a round picture of David Tennant as the Tenth and the Fourteenth Doctor from Doctor Who. Beyond WHO The power of acting allows individuals to convey emotions, tell stories, and create experiences that resonate deeply with audiences. To illustrate this, let’s take a trip through time and space to explore some of the films David Tennant has been in: You Me and Him 2017 Every Seventh Wave 2013 United 2011 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 2005 Jude 1996 At the bottom is a website link to console room console-room.com

Register to attend CONsole Room: The Power of WHO (January 23-25, 2026) by visiting www.console-room.com/registration/

YouTube video by Leah Roseman Tiny Desk to Broadway: The Creative World of Gaelynn Lea: Musician and Disability Rights Advocate

In case you missed it: Leah Roseman’s interview was published on YouTube!

Tiny Desk to Broadway: The Creative World of Gaelynn Lea: Musician and Disability Rights Advocate

youtu.be/48JoWRq3KNs?...

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 .

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

A picture of the large sign for Harding's Family Restaurant and a colorful hill of trees with Fall colors

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

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.

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...