About
Ava Grace Merchant was born in a rural farming community in Northern California. She started performing professionally at fourteen years old, seeking financial independence and artistic escape. It wasn’t long before seven piece blues band “Gravel & Grace” formed, and soon, the group was performing in festivals, concert halls, and recording studios. Their debut album (which featured Ava as a composer, vocalist, and pianist) received domestic and international acclaim from critics, spending nine weeks on the New England Blues Chart and earning hundreds of thousands of streams across platforms worldwide.
Upon graduating high school, Ava Grace declined offers to sign with a record label and instead chose to pursue a higher education in music. This brought her to Berkeley, California, and then to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music, with a focus in vocal performance. She works as a music director/vocal coach for schools and theater companies in the Colorado Springs area, teaches at the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and gives lessons in voice and songwriting for all ages in her private studio. Please click here to inquire about lessons.
Much of Ava Grace’s time is spent doing live, self-accompanied shows. Recent performance venues include Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Vegfest, Yosemite Goddess Festival, the Black Rose Acoustic Society, the Colorado Springs Women’s Music Showcase, and numerous weddings and events. Please click here to inquire about hiring her for your venue or event.
As a songwriter, Ava’s work often surrounds feminism, social justice, trauma and recovery, and vulnerability/ strong emotion. She sees her music as a means to spread awareness and create community. Feel free to reach out at any point for access to lyrics and chord sheets for her original music. Her academic background also makes her available for businesses or individuals interested in commissioning an original composition. Please click here to inquire about composition commissions.
Listen
Recent recordings
Ava Grace Merchant Senior Recital (2026) - “Penelope”
Ava Grace Merchant Senior Recital (2026) - “Jezebel”
These original works highlight Ava’s dedication toward writing about women’s issues. The live performance of “Jezebel” features her on voice and piano, whereas the recording of “Penelope” is a sneak peek toward her upcoming album, Rove!
Indie/folk
Ava Grace Trio - Live in Knights Ferry (2022)
Credits: Voice, Composition.
About: This album, featuring Lucy Broom (voice, guitar, composition) and William Melendez (saxophone) captures the live energy of the Ava Grace Trio.
Blues/Jazz
Gravel & Grace - Bringing the Blues (2020)
Credits: Voice, Composition, piano.
About: This album was Ava Grace’s first professional studio work, with her former seven-piece blues band, Gravel & Grace. It received international acclaim from critics, earning 300,000 streams across platforms. Ava was sixteen years old during the recording process. This album was recorded at WolfSound Studios in Fresno, CA, and produced by Mr. John Clifton.
classical
Ava Grace Merchant Senior Recital (2026) - “Ich Stand in Dunklen Träumen” by Clara Schumann
Colorado College “Opera Scenes” (2026) - “Laurie’s Song” from The Tender Land (1:41:30) and “Ain’t It Awful The Heat” from Street Scene (07:30)
See ava live!
These are the public performances scheduled for Ava Grace in October and November of 2026. Assume that all venues are open to all ages, with no cover charge, unless stated otherwise. Upcoming regions/cities include: Colorado Springs, Denver, Salt Lake City, Boise, Portland, Seattle, and Modesto.
October 7th. . . . . . . . . . icons (featured performer)
7-9pm. 16 E Kiowa St., Colorado Springs, CO
This is a ticketed fundraising event for the Colorado Springs Conservatory, where Ava Grace works as a mentor of voice. She is one of many featured performers in an evening highlighting CSC’s impact!
October 10th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . roxy on broadway
6-7:30pm. 554 S Broadway, Denver, CO
october 17th. . . . . . . . . whitewater rooftop social
5-8pm. 302 Royal Gorge Blvd, Canon City, CO
october 29th. . . ghost at the post! at garden of the gods
4:30-6:30pm. 324 Beckers Lane, Manitou Springs, CO
This free, family-friendly event will be full of Halloween fun! Come in costume to collect candy, play games, have a meal, paint a pumpkin, and listen to live music with Ava Grace, who will also be leading spooky sing-alongs for littles!
November 17th. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 the love of studios
8-11pm. Supported by The Habitat, Goats on a Playground, and Evil Kenevil. Purchase tickets here: https://www.ogdenepic.com/event-details/ava-grace-tour
Newgate Mall, 3651 Wall Ave, Ste 1238, Ogden, UT. $10 Online, $12 Door.
NOVEMBER 18th. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . LOVEKIN SOCIAL CLUB
7:00-9:00pm. 217 W 37th St Ste A, Garden City, ID
NOVEMBER 19th. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . Switchback saloon
Supported by Wesley the Moth and Ari Meadows. 7:00pm. 4847 SE Division St, Portland, OR
NOVEMBER 20th. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . Jewelbox theatre
Doors 7pm. Supported by Tanisha Deka and Aisley and the Aces. “Rove: Words of Women in Music” Tickets on sale now! $10 in advance; $15 at the door. 21+. Purchase here: https://therendezvous.boldtypetickets.com/events/188731459/rove-words-of-women-in-music 2322 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA
NOVEMBER 21st. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . The tipsy blackbird
7:00pm. 21+. 322 Pacific Ave, Bremerton, WA
NOVEMBER 29th. . . . . . album release party @ Coati!
3:00-6:00pm. Supported by Evie Valentine, Meg Davis, and Sarah Garlick. This is going to be, simply put, a fun, celebratory afternoon of music open to the public. Free to attend, all ages. Suggested donation $10. Be among the first to hear the album, both live and via playback, before it drops at midnight! Signed physical copies and exclusive zines will be available as well! 514 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO
Contact ava grace
Please complete the form below.
This is a space to inquire about hiring Ava Grace for live performances or commissions. Current offerings include:
Weddings and Events (Single Song or Full Set, Equipment Included)
Restaurants/businesses (Up to Three Hour Set, Equipment Included)
Festivals and Fairs (Up to Three Hour Set, Equipment Included)
Singing Telegrams (Physical Telegram included, flowers optional).
Digital Singing Telegrams
Original Song Commissions
If you are inquiring about lessons, please click here to be redirected.
reviews
“We've had people calling in to see if Ava will be returning to our event before they buy tickets. We love her over here!”
-Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
“Ava Grace learned our song beautifully, and at an incredible price. She was a great fit for our wedding, making sure everything ran perfectly.”
- Bride
“She totally nailed the song. I absolutely loved the video she provided so I could see the huge grin on my friend’s face. Best birthday gift ever? It’s definitely up there. Fun, professional, easy to work with, and a very talented performer. I would 100% hire her again!”
- Singing Telegram Customer
Press
Press Appearances, Interviews, & Performances Include:
Oakdale Leader News - 2019
https://www.oakdaleleader.com/news/sixteen-and-soulful-merchants-summer-show-calendar-quickly-filling-up/
Blues Matters Magazine - 2020
The Rocking Magpie - 2020
Oakdale Leader - 2020
https://www.oakdaleleader.com/news/listening-party-launches-self-titled-gravel-grace-album/
Modesto Bee - 2021
Good Day Sacramento - 2021
https://youtu.be/wd6YpOMnT2g?si=kqLNjYIFocamLi_y
Jefferson Blues Mag - 2021
Soundcheck 209 - 2021
209 Magazine - 2021
https://www.209magazine.com/departments/arts-culture/spinning-local/
Modesto Music Magazine - 2022
Fox 21 News Colorado - 2024
https://www.fox21news.com/living-local/friday-feelz-ava-grace/
Merch
Return to the site soon to see our merch listings! Here, you’ll be able to buy physical copies of the Ava Grace Trio and Gravel & Grace CD’s, as well as hats, T shirts, and posters.