If you think disability is reason enough to be stuck in your own friendless, jobless, unmotivated and self-pity world, wait until you read the story of Gaelynn Lea, the phenomenal musician and speaker from Duluth. Minnesota, who didn’t allow his disability to stay his low and far from living his life to the fullest.
Despite being born with a physical disability called osteogenesis imperfecta (also known as brittle bone disease), a genetic condition that left her with broken arms, legs and a shrunken waist, Gaelynn Lea, through music, learned to live above of their own difficulties and to give back to their world and motivate others to live above their handicaps and difficulties while striving to be the best they can be.
Lea now tours America and electrifying Europe with every place she visits with her haunting electro-folk music. In 2016, she won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk competition. She is an ardent and passionate proponent of authentic living and personal growth. So she speaks to people and motivates them to achieve their own goals. She also participates in the defense of the rights of people with disabilities.
Gaelynn Lea’s Biography
Lea talks a lot about her family because, according to her, they are her biggest influencers, but at the same time, she keeps their identity as far away from the media as possible. So while we know she has parents and siblings because she often talks about them in her talks and interviews, their names aren’t known.
We also know that she was born in Duluth, Minnesota, 1984, but the exact date and month are unknown. She was born with a genetic condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which impairs growth by causing complications in the development of bones and limbs. Due to her condition, she has shortened arms, legs, and stature. She had never walked and had to start using an electric wheelchair before she was three years old. Learning to use the electronic wheelchair at such a tender age, many doors and toenails were destroyed in the process.
She attended East High School from where she graduated in 2002. After high school she attended Macalester College, St. Paul for 3 years before transferring to the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 2008 , where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in psychology.
His musical career
Gaelynn Lea fell in love with classical music at a very tender age. His teacher took notice and encouraged him to get into music after he got a perfect score in a music listening test. With the help of her teacher, she found a way to hold her violin upright in her wheelchair with a tiny cello strapped to her foot so it wouldn’t slip and fall when she played instead of her shoulder. .
His style of music is a mix of classical, Celtic and traditional folk. Due to her stature, she plays the violin like a cellist would, which is so amazing because it creates a truly unique sound. Using the loop pedals, she layers several orchestrated parts of an electric violin as she sings. Pedals helped her build and develop multiple layers of sound.
Early in her career, Lea collaborated with Alan Sparhawk. She has also performed with Billy McLaughlin and Charlie Parrand. Her debut solo album All the Roads That Lead Us Home She arrived in 2015 and the following year she won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk competition after her song “Someday We’ll Stand in the Sun” was selected from over 6,000 other submissions.
In addition to her music, Lea is a disabled advocate for authentic living and personal growth. She was a speaker at Yale University for a TedxTalk where she spoke about sexuality, barriers for people with disabilities, and how art can be used as a way to overcome physical limitations.
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Who is her husband?
Gaelynn Lea married her friend and partner for Seven Years Paul Tressler in 2013. Paul has no form of disability and has been very supportive of Lea and her career, accompanying her on her musical tours.
The couple live in their own home in Duluth with their cat, Cecilia, and dog, Clara.
Here are facts you need to know about Gaelynn Lea
Before getting into music, Lea wanted to become a lawyer and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. In college, she was the coordinator of a disability rights group called Access for All.
She worked for Hanlon & Associates as an insurance agent and was licensed to sell homes, automobiles, businesses and life insurance.
Lea is 3ft tall and teaches violin at Gaelynn Lea Music.