JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 12-year-old from St. Johns County recently stole the spotlight at VyStar Ballpark with a stunning rendition of the National Anthem—a performance that quickly went viral after her parents shared it on TikTok.
Ava Larsen’s April 4 appearance, just before the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp took the field, has since racked up over 324,000 views in just over a month, capturing hearts across the country.
Ava’s mother told News4JAX that she has been singing since the age of three and is entirely self-taught. Her musical achievements include winning the 5th Grade Music Award at Wards Creek Elementary, participating in the chorus at Pacetti Bay Middle School, and performing “God Bless America” at a Jacksonville Icemen hockey game.
Related: Highly anticipated Shrimp Boats seating now available to fans at VyStar Ballpark
“She is 12 years old and so proud of our country,” Andrea Larsen, Ava’s mother, said.
Beyond her musical talents, Ava is also a cheerleader. Ava aspires to become both a singer and an engineer, with dreams of one day appearing on American Idol.
Ava’s viral moment at VyStar Ballpark not only showcased her remarkable talent but also highlighted the community spirit and renewed energy surrounding the Jumbo Shrimp’s stadium’s transformation in 2025.
Ava will appear on The Morning Show this Thursday, May 15, at 8:40 a.m. for a live interview and a special performance of the National Anthem — don’t miss it!
Click here to see a full list of upcoming Jumbo Shrimp games and promotions.
@andrealarsen313 Our girl singing the National Anthem at the @jumbo shrimp 🍤🦐 baseball game!! 🇺🇸⚾️🎤❤️ #nationalanthem #singing #baseball #fyp #america #talent
♬ original sound - Andrea Larsen