About Gaelynn Lea

Since winning NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, Gaelynn Lea has captivated audiences around the world with her haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. She has collaborated with notable artists such as Michael Stipe (REM), The Decemberists, Wilco, LOW, and the industrial rock supergroup Pigface.

In 2022, Gaelynn Lea composed and recorded the original score for Macbeth on Broadway, starring Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga. Gaelynn's resulting concept album, "Music From Macbeth", was released in Spring 2025.

Music aside, Gaelynn Lea is a sought-after public speaker about Disability Culture and accessibility in the arts. She has been featured on PBS NewsHour, On Being with Krista Tippett, The Moth Radio Hour, and via two widely-viewed TEDx Talks.

Most recently, Gaelynn wrote a memoir about her touring adventures and disability advocacy, which was published on April 14, 2026 by Algonquin Books. "It Wasn’t Meant To Be Perfect" is a love-letter to every body — a warm, funny and deeply-felt exploration of disability, music, and the messy creativity of an artist’s life.

Gaelynn is passionate about Disability Culture. To that end, she co-founded RAMPD in 2022 with recording artist Lachi. In 2023, Gaelynn co-founded the Music Inclusion Ensemble with fellow disabled musicians Adrian Anantawan and Molly Joyce; this inclusive ensemble places disability at the heart of its performances, compositions, and commissioned works. In the summer of 2023, Gaelynn co-wrote and performed in a musical fable for the stage with disabled storyteller Kevin Kling; their production has sold out three runs at various theaters in Minnesota.

In 2024, Gaelynn was awarded both a Whippoorwill Arts Fellowship for her creative work in the folk music tradition, as well as a Disability Futures Fellowship, which spotlights the work of disabled creatives across disciplines. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy and currently serves on the Chicago Chapter Advocacy Comm

Recognition and Awards

Professional Memberships

• Folk Alliance (FAI) Member
• PRO: BMI
• Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) Voting/Professional Member