RED BANK, OCTOBER 7, 2026 – The Count Basie Center for the Arts is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Charlie Puth Musical Performance Scholarships are Kyla Puryear, 16, of Red Bank, and Siena Marino, 18, or Middletown. Both students will receive $1500 to be used toward any Basie Center Turner Academy musical or vocal performance program.

“Helping young artists like Kyla and Siena develop their talents and giving them opportunities to grow is at the heart of what we do at the Basie Center,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We’re incredibly grateful to Charlie for continuing to give back to the place where his own musical journey began, and for helping us make those opportunities possible for the next generation of performers.”

“I’ve been really impressed with the students chosen for this scholarship since we launched it three years ago,” said Puth. “Kyla and Siena exemplify the types of young artists who can grow from the support offered by programs at the Basie Center’s Turner Academy, and I’m proud that two more students are receiving this opportunity to keep chasing their musical dreams.”

The Basie Center awards hundreds of need- and merit-based scholarships every year, as part of its FOREVER FOR EVERYONE endowment. Puth, who was once a jazz student at the Basie Center, was named honorary chair of the endowment campaign when he last performed at the Basie Center in 2023.

Puryear, who attends Red Bank Regional High School, has taken classes at the Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts since 2020 and is also a member of the Count Basie Center Gospel Choir. She credits her experiences here as vital to developing her vocal technique, confidence, musicianship, and performance skill.

“I’m really grateful to be chosen for the Charlie Puth Music Performance Scholarship,” Puryear said.”I thank God for this opportunity, and for the Basie Center, because it’s the place that has shaped me as a performer and opened doors for me again and again.”

“Ever since I was little — from taking The Show Must Go On classes, to being cast as Tomika in School of Rock at age 11, to being a member of The Basie Gospel Choir, the Basie has been like home. They’ve encouraged me, believed in me, and trusted me with chances to grow, including performing in their galas, singing our National Anthem at community events, becoming a full-time intern for student productions, and performing in theatre shows over the years.”

Marino, who attends Red Bank Catholic, has focused on the performing arts her entire life. Her earliest experiences include singing in her church’s children’s choir, as well as a variety of classes at the Basie Center’s Turner Academy.

“This is such an amazing honor and opportunity,” Marino said. “My parents joke that when I was born, I came out singing and not crying – and I haven’t stopped since. I know I will benefit greatly from the incredible training the Basie Center Academy offers, and I cannot wait to grow even more as an artist.”

The Count Basie Center Turner Academy of the Arts offers scholarships throughout the year to students interested in pursuing interests in most any Academy offering, including acting for television, stage and screen, music lessons, dance, musical theatre, Broadway and more.

For more information, visit thebasie.org/scholarships.