Ava Nicole Frances is a New York City–based singer-songwriter, actress, and recording artist originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. Performing professionally since the age of ten, she has built a career spanning musical theatre, cabaret, television, and original music.
A Top 56 contestant on Season 22 of American Idol, Ava is a two-time BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award winner and has performed internationally, including at renowned New York venues such as 54 Below and The Green Room 42.
In 2025, she released her debut original album, I Can’t Play With Flowers, a deeply personal collection exploring love, loss, and self-discovery. Her songwriting has earned multiple MAC Award honors, including a 2026 win for “Missing A Screw.” Her latest single, “see you around,” continues her journey as an independent artist, blending heartfelt storytelling with her signature pop-folk sound.
Where are you based?
New York City
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been writing my whole life honestly, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing something. Back in 2024 I went through a pretty nasty breakup and I started writing songs to cope. I released my first original song “little did i know” in January of 2025.
What genre would you consider your music to be?
I think I’m an even blend of Folk and Pop.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I started out in theater! I was always in my school shows as a kid, and then when I was ten, I moved into the cabaret business. I started performing all over America with my dad (we had a duo show) and then as I got older I partnered with the legend Charlo Crossley, who I learned a great deal about show business from. When I turned 18 I moved to NYC and branched out on my own. I’ve been performing solo ever since. When I competed in Season 22 of American Idol, I heard all of these insanely talented singers and so many of them had written their own music. I wanted that, I thought it was so cool. I had written music before but never anything I deemed good enough to release. I started writing more after that, and I fell in love with the lyrical side of music. It’s my favorite thing now. I don’t think there’s anything out there other than music that I’m meant to be doing.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Oh wow, there are so many. I’d say I probably listen to Noah Kahan the most. I think he’s a lyrical genius and I definitely hear his influence in my music. Lizzy McAlpine is another big one for me. I’ve always loved her. I’m a huge Renee Rapp fan and I think she’s just the best. It’s a bit spread out. Artists like Gracie Abrams, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Phoebe Bridgers, Brandi Carlile, Sufjan Stevens. They all play a part in it. I listen to a lot of music.
Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?
I’m independent! I work with my producer Laurel Taylor who lives down in Nashville. She’s done every song I’ve released. She’s honestly the best, it’s such a fun time to work with her and she’s a singer too so she really get it. I’m super lucky.
What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?
I’ve been very fortunate so far, if I’m being honest. My first ever release (not original but an unreleased Donna Summer song) happened when I was in high school so of course there was some bullying around that. People didn’t like it, they made fun of pretty much everything you could find to pick at. I think in the end it kind of fueled my newest song “see you around”. But to be honest, it never really got to me. I knew what I was doing and it made their taunting empty. In terms of my own original music, I think a big focus for me was to release my first album (about that breakup) and then find a way to leave that behind. It’s easy to write songs about being heartbroken but I wanted to expand beyond that. I swore to myself that once I released that album I wouldn’t release anything else about that situation. I still write about it sometimes, it makes for good practice, but it’s nothing important enough to put out there. Like I said, I’m very fortunate. I have the best support group in my friends and family and my partner. They really are the best.
How many songs or albums have you released to date?
So there are eight songs on my album “I Can’t Play With Flowers”. Three of them were released as singles before the album dropped. I have a political song called “Four Years of Fun” which I wrote after the past election and released in April of 2025. I make it very clear where I stand politically. I have gay dads. Take a guess. I have a live album out from my cabaret show, which features my first single “little did i know” but the live version. And then, my final and most recent song “see you around”!
Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?
I wrote “see you around” about my experience growing up and moving away and finding home elsewhere. I was raised in San Francisco and it was a beautiful place to grow up. I’m so unbelievably lucky to have lived eighteen years there. But like I said earlier, I was pretty heavily bullied in high school. People definitely had their opinions, which I talk about in the song. When I moved to New York, I found community and family. My best friend from home actually moved at the same time as me so we had each other and we’re still best friends to this day. I just started feeling like I had found my “place”. The song isn’t anything negative about San Francisco. Definitely a “this isn’t goodbye only a see you later” thing. I’m really excited that this song is out there now, I hope it’s relatable to people. I feel like it’s a common story, moving out and finding home elsewhere, but feeling a little guilty for it.
Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?
Yes actually, I do. I’ll be releasing a new song within the next month. It’s a commentary on all of the sexual assault that’s being brought to light, especially in the recent case of Jane Doe and the Cornell 7. The song will be called PRAYERS, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to a charity that supports survivors of sexual assault. The charity will be announced at a later date. That one is really important to me, possibly the most important, as I am a survivor myself. It’s so common, too common, and I know I can’t do much but I can use what I have – my writing and my voice. Every stream, save, repost, share, it all helps. To me, it’s the most important song I’ve ever released.
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