Kinta teen becomes one of the youngest voting members of the Grammys

A southeast Oklahoma teenager is now part of one of the most exclusive clubs in the music industry.

Eighteen-year-old Ava Rose Johnson, a singer-songwriter from Kinta, has officially joined the Recording Academy as a voting member, giving her a voice in selecting future Grammy winners. She is one of just 3,600 members nationwide with that honor.

“I was so excited. I immediately called my parents and was like, ‘Can you guys believe this?’” Johnson said.

To qualify, artists must be nominated by two current voting members—Johnson had three—and be approved by the academy.

In addition to voting, Johnson will also have opportunities to attend the Grammy Awards, connect with other artists and participate in mentorship and leadership programs.

Her music career began when she was just four years old. Johnson has since won multiple Native American Music Awards and is believed to be the first Osage and Cherokee citizen on the academy’s voting panel.

She’s entering her senior year at Kinta High School, where she plays softball and basketball, and says she plans to continue her music career while exploring a future in real estate.