Meet Our Founder

Anthony Avery is an award nominated recording artist, educator, community activist and visionary. He has been working in the arts industry for over 20 years and in non-profits for almost a decade. From a very young age he had a passion for the arts which manifested through Music(Vocal, Viola, and Directing/Arranging), Dance(Modern, Contemporary & Hip-Hop), and Theatre professionally performing from the age of 11. He served as Music Director for the now Historic Morgan State University Memorial Chapel where he co-founder his first nonprofit ministry Voices of Praise Gospel Choir made of of MSU Students, Staff and Community Members and ran from 2007-2014. During this time he also performed with Morgan State University Choir most notably performing in the Choir for it's two appearances Carnegie Hall once with Bobby McFerrin and second, with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for the anniversary performance and professional recording of The Bernstein Mass which would be nominated for a Grammy that year. He later worked as an Independent Gospel Artist producing multiple award nominations for songs, albums and artistry which particular critical praise for his songwriting skills. In 2019 in an effort to be true to his own art he became a Pop/Soul Artist where he could express his music not only as a Black man but also as a proud and openly Gay man as well. His debut album found him much critically praise and success on the independent scene. He is an active member and light house in his community having served as a School Teacher & Program Coordinator for over 10 years in throughout various counties in Maryland & D.C. including Baltimore City & County, Harford County, Montgomery County, and more. He also has work with many notable nonprofits including Elev8 Baltimore, Art with A Heart, Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center, Arts for Learning MD and more. He is a former National President of Choir Psi Phi National Music Society, Inc. where he also founded three Chapters in the Maryland region. He is a member Ancient Free & Accepted Mason of Maryland, a devoted husband and father of two. In 2021, after years of benefitting from amazing guidance, support, resources and network afforded to him over the years Anthony had the vision to give back to the Arts Community that had be such an influential village to him over the years. He founded Tony Aye Artistry with the hope that no artists ever has to feel neglected, discouraged, dismissed and most importantly discredited for their art. He is committed to creating a modern day resource and hub for all Artists of every background, styles and demographic to find a platform to help them reach the success they envision for themselves and to ensure that the contributions of Artists in our communities stays an essential and impactful staple in our world. Anthony maintains that Art has no limits when it comes to how it is expressed and is committed to hearing every Artist say "I am S.A.F.E." & "I Come First!"