Middletown Teen Awarded Music Education Scholarship Money

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A Middletown teenager recently won money from the Count Basie Center for the Arts.

Siena Marino, 18, received $1,500 and the money can be used toward any musical or vocal performance classes at the Basie Center Turner Academy. Marino is a student at Red Bank Catholic and she's been part of the performing arts her entire life.

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"My parents joke that when I was born, I came out singing and not crying – and I haven't stopped since," she said.

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.

"I cannot wait to grow even more as an artist," she said.

The money is from the Charlie Puth music scholarship; Puth grew up in Rumson, took jazz lessons at the Basie Center and is now a pop star. Kyla Puryear, 16, of Red Bank also received money.

"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, CEO of the 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."

Said Puth:

"I've been really impressed with the students chosen for this scholarship since we launched it three years ago," he said. "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."