Students awarded $1500 scholarships to music programs
at Basie Center Academy

RED BANK, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 – The Count Basie Center for the Arts is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Charlie Puth Musical Performance Scholarships are Sienna Kay, 15 of Fair Haven and Marel Hidalgo, 16 of Neptune. Both students will receive $1500 to be used toward any Basie Center Academy musical or vocal performance program.

“We are excited to award these scholarships to Sienna and Marel – two incredibly talented students,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Part of the Basie Center’s mission is to make arts education available and accessible to as many people as possible, and the offering of scholarships is one of the ways we are delivering on that commitment.”

The Basie Center awards hundreds of need- and merit-based scholarships every year, as part of its FOREVER FOR EVERYONE campaign. Puth, who was once a jazz student at the Basie Center Academy, was named honorary chair of the campaign when he performed at the Basie Center last year.

“’I’m excited to see such amazing performers like Sienna and Marel receive these scholarships to help them pursue their arts education and continue to master their craft,” said Puth. “I’m honored to continue being a part of the Count Basie Center for the Arts’ mission of making these creative opportunities more accessible.”

Kay attends Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, started singing as a toddler and recently sang the national anthem at a New Jersey Devils game. She has been taking vocal lessons for 8 years and guitar lessons for 4 years. Kay also performs with the RockIt Live Foundation.

“I am so honored to have been given this incredible opportunity from the Basie Center,” said Kay. “Charlie Puth, an alumni of my school and community, has always been such an inspiration to me. His journey has encouraged my love for writing music and the pursuit of my dream career in music. I will use this opportunity to further expand my passion for performing, live music, songwriting and overall musical potential.”

Hidalgo, who is homeschooled, has been taking private lessons for 12 years and starting performing in front of live audiences 10 years ago. He most recently performed at The William “Count” Basie Birthday Celebration at the Basie Center.

“I’m extremely honored to have been awarded the Charlie Puth Scholarship and to have been given the opportunity to continue learning and growing with the Basie Center as a musician.” said Hidalgo. “Furthermore, I’d like to thank the Basie Center and especially thank Charlie Puth for this opportunity, and I hope that one day in the future, our musical careers cross paths.”

Count Basie Center for the Arts
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and creative exchange of ideas. The Basie mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through its distinct and engaging cultural and artistic offerings that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region.  As a nonprofit organization, the Basie is committed to enriching the community’s quality of life by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with schools, collaborating with other mission-based organizations and driving regional economic prosperity. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr. Count Basie Center programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.