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, 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 (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 June and July of 2026. Assume that all venues are open to all ages, with no cover charge, unless stated otherwise.
june 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden of the gods trading post
5-7pm. 324 Beckers Ln Side, Manitou Springs, CO
June 12th. . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden of the gods trading posT
5-7pm. 324 Beckers Ln Side, Manitou Springs, CO
June 19th. . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden of the gods trading posT
5-7pm. 324 Beckers Ln Side, Manitou Springs, CO
June 20th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evergreen restaurant
5-8pm. 830 N Tejon St suit 110, Colorado Springs, CO
July 3rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dreamcatcher pub
8-9pm. 124 S Western Ave 4 & 5, Waterford, CA
July 4th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . murphy’s irish pub
7-8pm. 415 Main St, Murphy’s, CA
July 5th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .southern mines brewing
6-8pm. 120071 CA-108 Suite C, Sonora, CA
July 7th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . knights ferry saloon
6-9pm. 17701 Sonora Rd, Knights Ferry, CA
July 11th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . strawberry general store
With Lucy Broom! 11am-1pm. 28620 Herring Creek Ln, Strawberry, CA
July 11th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jack douglass saloon
With Lucy Broom! 7-9pm. 22718 Main St, Columbia, CA
July 16th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dustbowl brewing
5-8pm. 3000 Fulkerth Rd, Turlock, CA
july 18th . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden of the gods trading post
5-7pm. 324 Beckers Ln Side, Manitou Springs, CO
July 25th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .evergreen restaurant
5-8pm. 830 N Tejon St suit 110, Colorado Springs, CO
july 30th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cheyenne mountain zoo
This is a ticketed event to support animal care and conservation. The event is 21+, featuring food, drink, and live music throughout the zoo. Tickets can be found at https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/special-events/tails-tunes-tastes/
july 31st . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garden of the gods trading post
5-7pm. 324 Beckers Ln Side, Manitou 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!”
“Ava Grace learned our song beautifully, and at an incredible price. She was a great fit for our wedding.”
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.