Ava Vallis
Hello again and happy Friday!! Like clockwork, we're back again with another First Show Friday! This week we were able to spotlight one of our favorite local musicians, and now the youngest member of the First Show Friday crew, Ava Vallis!
“I've been performing forever. When I was little I loved to play and sing for everyone around me. But I think my first show, I'd consider the real deal, was when I joined Fire Valley Fire on stage at Makin’ Waves in 2019. I had played before that, Christmas shows and here and there’s. But that one made me realize I could do this for more than a celebration, but career.”
“My favorite part of that show was the end. That song I got to sing was so much fun, and i got to be with my Dad. so while i was finished, i could see and hear people's reactions to our performance and it was probably the first time i wasn't embarrassed to soak in positive attention. Which felt good. I knew I did good, and I knew people loved it.”
These days, Ava Vallis is now a household name. She turns heads with her beautiful songs and her powerful voice. She released her single “Ladybug” earlier this year and will be showcasing for Nova Scotia Music Week this Saturday at Crown & Moose.
“This experience evoked passion for performing. I think I had lost it once I had gotten to Junior High, because you're embarrassed to exist at that time. But it all came back when I realized that music is something people could lal enjoy without there being an issue. I think that I just wanted to share my music at that point, and it made me eager to do so. I wrote a lot more, and I gradually played more often in the community.”
“The show was incredible, it was a hot day in the summertime, and my friends and family were around. It made me want to play Makin’ Waves again. And I got to, this year. I was so happy to be able to get on stage and perform for the Makin’ Waves crowd for the second time.”
“I personally don't have too much band experience. It's hard to be a highschool student and manage to find people who will jam with you. It's hard enough to find people to hang around you in general at this age, because you have no confidence in yourself, and everyone's awkward and anxious. Let alone find people to play music with in their spare time. I'm lucky to go to a school with lovely music teachers and a wonderful environment for making music, that allwayed me to have some of my first ‘outside the home’ jam sessions. And also, very lucky to have been part of Alicia Pennys record release show, where I got to jam with some of the best musicians I know. Of course I look forward to meeting new people and playing with people, someday.”
Ava has grown so much over the years, below you can see a photo of the first time she played Makin’ Waves then another photo from her Makin’ Waves performance this past summer. We love talking to Ava and can't wait to see all that the future holds for this amazing young woman.
