12 Facts About Gaelynn Lea

Gaelynn Lea Tressler was born on January 21,1984 and is an American folk singer, violinist, public speaker and disability advocate from Duluth, Minnesota.

Gaelynn Lea was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition that causes complications in the development of bones and limbs.

Lea became impassioned by classical music from an early age, and in fourth grade a teacher took notice and encouraged Lea to pursue music after she had the class's only perfect score on a music listening test.

Gaelynn Lea developed a technique for violin which involved holding the bow "like a bassist" with the body of the instrument placed in front of her, like a cello, and attached to her foot so it wouldn't slip when she played.

Gaelynn Lea's parents owned and operated a dinner theater while Lea was growing up, and she would often usher and do lighting for productions.

Gaelynn Lea attended Macalester College, where she majored in political science; prior to her music career, she had planned to pursue a career as a lawyer and disability rights advocate.

Additionally, Gaelynn Lea has played with Charlie Parr and Billy McLaughlin.

Gaelynn Lea gained exposure after winning NPR's 2016 Tiny Desk Contest.

In 2022, Gaelynn Lea made her Broadway debut as the composer of original music for the revival of Macbeth, directed by Sam Gold at the Longacre Theatre.

Gaelynn Lea possesses a mezzo-soprano voice, which has been characterized by Denny Dyroff of the Unionville Times as "ethereal".

Gaelynn Lea's style is rooted in classical, Celtic and traditional folk music.

Around 2014 Gaelynn Lea married Paul Tressler, with whom she had been in a relationship since around 2007.