Sing Harlem Choir Hits Max Studios for June Release
City’s gospel ensemble lays tracks with director Ahmaya Knoelle, producer Cherrelle Crews.
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
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Last week, Manhattan’s Max Studios welcomed members of Vy Higginsen’s acclaimed Sing Harlem Choir for an exclusive recording session. Under the guidance of director Ahmaya Knoelle and renowned sound engineer–producer Cherrelle Crews, the group captured key moments of an inspiring gospel project set to debut this June.
Studio Session Sparks New Gospel Sounds
Inside the sleek Manhattan facility, choir members including Sydnee Brown (@sydneebrown23), Yerri Riley (@itsyerry), Ada Victoria (@_ada.victoria_), Hannah Bandz (@hannah.bandz_), Wizard721 (@wizard721) and Cheriese Smith (@cheriese121) layered rich vocals over live instrumentation. According to the studio’s social post, “We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming members of the @singharlem choir alongside their incredible director @ahmayaknoelle and brilliant sound engineer/music producer @cherrellecrews into the studio last week. We were able to capture a few moments of an inspiring project they are working on which will be out to the public this June! Stay Tuned!”
Ahmaya Knoelle—who has led Sing Harlem since its founding under the Mama Foundation for the Arts—worked closely with the singers on new arrangements that blend traditional gospel harmonies with modern R&B and jazz influences. In the control room, Crews fine-tuned each take, ensuring that the choir’s signature warmth and dynamic range shine through.
Sing Harlem’s Rising Citywide Presence
This studio session is the latest in a string of high-profile appearances for the choir. On April 29, Sing Harlem performed live at the official unveiling of Thomas J Price’s ‘‘Grounded in the Stars’’ sculpture in Times Square. The choir lent gospel vocals to the ceremony, amplifying the debut of the life-size bronze piece at Broadway & 46th Street. That event marked the first of Price’s two-part public art takeover, with the choir’s performance streamed nightly across the district’s digital billboards as part of the Midnight Moment program.
Beyond Times Square, Sing Harlem maintains a weekly residency at Red Rooster Harlem. In early April, the ensemble headlined the restaurant’s annual Easter Gospel Brunch—voted one of America’s top five brunches—sharing the stage with Grammy-nominated soul and jazz musicians. These engagements have cemented the choir’s reputation as a bridge between Harlem’s deep musical heritage and New York’s broader cultural scene.
With their June project, listeners can expect a collection of both new compositions and fresh takes on gospel standards. Studio insiders hint at guest appearances by local instrumentalists and spoken-word segments that reflect the choir’s mission: preserving African-American musical traditions while inviting new generations to join the movement.
The upcoming release will be distributed across streaming platforms and supported by a series of live events. Fans should look out for announcements on Sing Harlem’s official channels and the Mama Foundation for the Arts social feeds.
Sing Harlem’s visit to Max Studios underscores the choir’s evolution from a community ensemble into a citywide ambassador for gospel music. As June approaches, anticipation is high for material that promises to honor the past even as it charts fresh artistic territory.
Whether in a world-premiere public art unveiling or a state-of-the-art recording studio, Sing Harlem continues to carry the torch for gospel tradition—one powerful chord at a time.
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