.Virginia Marie Traut (born March 21, 1981, in Woodstock, IL), known professionally as Virginia, is an American singer/songwriter. Ethereal, acoustic guitar based songwriting and a hypnotic, haunting voice are the prime elements behind Virginia’s music.

Her sound has been described as having a depth that is simultaneously dark, brooding and intelligent as well as spiritually uplifting and playful. She is a recipient of multiple Asbury Music Awards for best female vocalist and best female solo performer and a nominee for top song of the year (So Sweet), best new band, and best new album of the year, (E.P., Hush). Virginia was signed to Gig Records in 2000, only a couple years after moving to NJ from Missouri with her parents. She released her debut album, Sweet Conscience at the mere age of 19. At such a young age, her melodies and emotionally insightful lyrics showed that she had packed more experience into such a short period of time than many artists do by the time they are well established.

Virginia released a follow up 5-song E.P. entitled Hush, in 2003, which included the track, On Your Own, written for the independent film, Never Among Friends. She since has spent time performing solo shows on tour with Chris Cline of Ministry and Miles Hunt of the Wonderstuff. Virginia has opened shows for national acts such as Tracy Chapman, Violent Femmes, and Mike Doughty of Soul Coughing. After recording a full-length album in 2006, Virginia decided to hold off and release it under her own independent label.

She is now releasing part one of three autobiographical books entitled Virginia, the Story of...The book is set to be released on 12/12/12. She also has a double disc length album of 21 songs entitled Someone Like Me, due out in early January of 2013.