March 24, 2022
Being part of the 2022 graduating class of Coconino High School means a lot to high school senior Avery Rhoton, and being an up-and-coming country music artist with an exploding music career also means a lot to “Avery Anna” as she is better known in the music business.
Thanks to Northern Arizona Distance Learning (NADL), Avery is able to accomplish both of her goals simultaneously.
Avery explained her music career took off in 2020 after featuring a video of herself singing, which went viral on TikTok. Soon after, she was discovered by music executives and everything sped up after that point, and she eventually released her first single Just Because I Love You which then led to the signing of a record deal in July 2021 with a music label.
Soon after, Avery moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at the start of her senior year, and she has been dedicated to singing, song writing, performing, and graduating high school.
Avery said attending school online through NADL has allowed her to also follow her dreams through a demanding travel schedule and to also stay connected to school.
In the last year, she had the opportunity to perform with some of country music’s biggest names and she has more performances lined up this year. A few weeks ago, she performed at the Country to Country Music Festival in London, England, which was her first time traveling outside of the U.S. The music festival hosted some major country music names including Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Arts, and many others. In April, Avery opened for Martina McBride in Indiana, and she will be opening for the band Parmalee thereafter.
“I feel very grateful to have the opportunity to be able to do something that I love so much,” she said. “I used to be up at 5 a.m. when I was in middle school, so that I could sing before I went to school. I’ve been putting in the work my whole life – but it’s fun! I feel very grateful and it’s very surreal all the time that this is happening… but it’s very cool and I love it!”
If that did not seem busy enough, Avery also spends days with publishing companies and collaborating with other songwriters. Her schedule can be inconsistent with early, long or late hours and a typical in-school experience would not be possible given the new demands of her music career.
Avery said she is very thankful for the NADL program and the support they provide.
“It’s really convenient for me, especially since I had a full 180° turn in my life,” she said. “Being able to make my own schedule pretty much for school and make my own time that fits the other aspects of my life is super convenient. It’s very helpful.”
A typical day for Avery includes a full day of work, she returns home, and then she starts her school work and chores.
Avery said she plans to return to Flagstaff in May, so she can walk with her graduating class at Coconino High School.
Attending NADL has been helpful for students like Avery who are looking to move at their own pace to finish their coursework, especially if they are taking a nontraditional path before their high school graduation date.
Listen to Avery’s music, you can follow her on social media by searching “Avery Anna” on most social media and music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
