Gaelynn Lea, a core member of the Tiny Desk Family, opened the first-ever Tiny Desk Family Hour at SXSW with a captivating performance. The 2016 Tiny Desk Contest winner wowed the audience at Central Presbyterian Church in Austin with her minimalist setup of violin strokes and a loop pedal, accompanied by her poignant vocals. One of the standout moments was her closing song "I Wait," which sheds light on the exclusion of people with disabilities from social justice movements, drawing from her own experience living with brittle bone disease. Gaelynn Lea, a folk singer, violinist, public speaker, and disability advocate from Duluth, Minnesota, showcased her musical prowess and strong sense of purpose at the event, leaving a lasting impression on the audience with her warm and hauntingly beautiful voice.