We recently connected with Ava Rose Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Ava Rose, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
It all began when I was 4 years old, I danced behind my sister while she was singing in Branson Missouri. From then I knew I wanted to pursue music!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
A citizen of both Osage and Cherokee, Nashville Recording Artist, Ava Rose Johnson, is the 20th Annual Native American Music Award’s Best Female Artist of the Year. This leading Indigenous female music artist made history in 2019 at the age of 12 by winning Best Independent Recording By A New Artist at the Native American Music Awards. This 2 time Next Gen Under 30 Oklahoma Award Winner for 2023 and 2021 is the youngest to win the award NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma in The Arts category. Ava Rose’s music is currently being heard world wide. Her music continues to receive rave reviews and has been a chart topper for Indigenous Music Countdown on SIRIUS XM and featured on many other radio shows and is heard on rotation with SiriusXM radio. Her most recent “Oklahoma Sky” was released March 7th, 2025. She recently was awarded a Citation by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Ava Rose has been entertaining audiences from singing the National Anthem at the Oklahoma City Thunder games to performing shows at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, NYC, in studio at Good Morning America and on the Good Morning America Summer Concert Series Stage in Central Park, KOTV News On 6 and CBS affiliates in OKC and Fort Smith, Ark. Ava is also the youngest youth to be invited to be a panelist and performer at Global MindED in Denver, Colorado, as well as testifying and performing at the First American’s Museum for the Commission of Native Children that reported back to Congress.
This year she is nominated for Best Country Recording and Best Music Video for Sweet Home Oklahoma and You Were Just a Dream.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I would definitely say God. I know that nothing is possible without him. My goal is to be able to share my stories and my experiences with others to help them get closer with God or know him.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
During the COVID 19 pandemic, I was given an amazing opportunity and received training from Monique Coleman, Lauren Frost, Jodi Katz, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Mark Schoenfeld and Jon Stoddard to name a few. I also was a presenter and performer for the non profit organization, GlobalmindED and was on the panel “Fortifying Native American Students, Faculty and Communities during and after COVID 19” with several Native American influencers.
I co hosted and performed at The Spin Awards (the biggest night in Gospel Radio) Preshow and also was a performer at The Spin Awards Show in Atlanta, Georgia in October of 2019. I was the 2020 Spin Awards Brand Influencer and Performer for 2020’s award show.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.avarosejohnsonmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avarosejohnsonmusic?igsh=azQ0NG1ybzN6Mnhy&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/12JFed48ZFS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avarosejohnsonmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@avarosejohnson945?si=Bm7zlVX3f5TVkTNx
Image Credits
The Blue native dress images by Suneagle Media