In 2025, we are thrilled to be supporting our first ever cohort of talented songwriters. We kick things off in the summer with artists Daniel Tracht, Virginia Vogel, both of whom will be recording new music, live at Christ Church in Ballston Spa.

What does NYCS provide to artists? NYCS works with artists that have varied levels of experience, from seasoned musicians to young, up-and-coming talents recording their music for the first time. Prior to each session, artists have a consultation with our team to determine how to successfully execute their recording process in a way that best supports them. This might look like organizing session musicians, or assisting with arrangements. Maybe they have their own producer or engineer, who we then loop into our best practices and methods. If artists are hoping for a visual component to their session, we work with local photographers and videographers to help bring their vision to life. NYCS prioritizes finding local talent and businesses to support, furthering our value of highlighting and supporting the folks that continue to make the arts in upstate New York as vibrant as they are. 

We don’t just provide a session - we cultivate an experience. Whether a recording artist calls Upstate home or is visiting for the first time, it is important to us that they experience the robust community here. Artists stay in local accommodations, and our Company Care & Experience team works diligently to build an experience where NYCS recording artists experience local culture and cuisine. 

Community is at the core of all that we do. It is vital to our mission here at NYCS that our community can both witness and participate in the music making process. We partner with local businesses to organize concerts for our recording artists to share the music they made while recording, providing them with an opportunity to further engage with the music scene in Upstate New York. 

On August 13th, our Summer Artists will perform at The Archive in Burnt Hills, NY. This concert will serve as both a fundraiser, as well as a celebration of this first cohort of 2025 artists. Purchase a tax-deductible* ticket and enjoy an incredible night of new, live music. Beverages will be available for purchase throughout the evening, but your first drink is on us**! Come on out and support our summer artists, and NYCS’ mission of creating accessible recording opportunities in Upstate New York!

Daniel Tracht is a singer-songwriter and actor originally from Orlando, FL. After attending Penn State and receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Anthropology, Daniel moved to NYC to pursue his dreams of making and sharing music and theatre. Daniel recently was in the ensemble of first national tour of Hadestown, also covering Orpheus. He has also been seen in shows across the US, including The Rev Theatre, The Palace Theatre, and New London Barn Playhouse. Daniel has been writing music for 7 years, and, after much encouragement from family and friends, is finally putting some music out into the world! His debut EP will be released soon, charting life’s mistakes, lessons, and blessings. www.danieltracht.com

Virginia Vogel is an independent folk-pop artist from Manhattan. Upon graduation from the Boston Conservatory in 2023, Virginia has immersed herself in New York’s indie folk scene, playing venues such as Arlene’s Grocery and Brooklyn Music Kitchen, and releasing her debut single you were in my dream last night in December of 2023. With intimate, metric lyricism, Virginia paints lucid vignettes against Americana inspired pop instrumentation. Her work melds the vivid environmental imagery of traditional folk with the directness of current pop music. Down the pipe, Virginia will be releasing her second single, baggage claim, this fall, produced by Sam Roller. This August’s collaboration with Church Sessions will feature an acoustic reimagining of the same single, as well as two new pieces.