The Vision
In late 2020, three friends set out on a mission; to create an oasis for recording. The centerpiece would be the extraordinary acoustical space of an old church.
The goal was to provide a retreat for individual musicians and producers as well as groups and ensembles of all genres.
The church is but one of four unique buildings that comprise Articuləte Studios:
The Hixson–Mixsell House, also known as the Springtown Stagecoach Inn, a ten-bedroom historic building, built c. 1790.
A five-bedroom former “house of ill repute” overlooking the Delaware River in Riegelsville NJ.
If your project requires an extended stay, arrangements may be made
And The Bloomsbury Black Mill, which is currently under renovation.
The immediate environs offer an abundance of outstanding natural beauty shaped by the Delaware River and the surrounding Appalachian foothills. The river itself is a defining feature—broad, serene, and flanked by lush woodlands and bluffs that blaze with color in autumn. The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, which passes through Phillipsburg, offers scenic trails ideal for hiking and biking, following old canal towpaths and rail beds.
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The Pohatcong creek, and the Musconetcong River, (a federally designated Wild and Scenic River), wind through forested valleys, providing exceptional trout fishing and kayaking opportunities. Towering hardwoods, preserved farmland, and gentle hills make the area especially attractive for nature lovers.​
Jim Cotter is a broadcast journalist and producer of film, television, and radio. He has reported from five continents, interviewing world leaders, major artists, and everyday people. Cotter began his career in local radio in Ireland, then worked for BBC Wales and the BBC World Service. After moving to the U.S., he served as Arts Editor at WRTI from 2001–2015, where he created and hosted the long-running weekly culture show Creatively Speaking. In 2014, he created The Articulate Show, which aired nationally on PBS for eight seasons and won three Emmy Awards.
About us
John Avarese began studying classical piano at the age of four and was performing in classical recitals by age seven. He has composed over 4,000 commissioned scores and has worked on 53 theatrical feature films, hundreds of short films, and seven surround-sound planetarium features. His work spans composition, mixing, and sound design. In 2020, he won a National Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Sound Mixing. Avarese is a Full Professor and Program Director of the Film & Television Program at Drexel University, and a member of the Motion Picture Sound Editors and the Cinema Audio Society.
Ido Kashi is a music producer and composer with a diverse background in rock, jazz, classical, and cinematic music. He began studying piano at age six and later excelled at Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts, where he led ensembles and received the Excellence in the Arts Award. Kashi served as music director and producer at Groove Audio and became the first in-house producer at Artlist. His work has been featured in global campaigns for brands including Sony PlayStation, BMW, and Samsung. He also composes music for television and short films, and engineers the sessions at our studio.