Holmdel Teen Receives Musical Performance Scholarship

HOLMDEL, NJ — A Holmdel teenager has been named as one of two recipients of the 2025 Charlie Puth Musical Performance Scholarship, the Count Basie Center for the Arts announced on Tuesday.

Emerson Granata, 15, of Holmdel, was awarded the scholarship alongside Abigail Kistler, 17, of Middletown.

Both students will receive $1,500 to be used toward any Basie Center Turner Academy musical or vocal performance program, officials said.

“We are excited to award these scholarships to Abigail and Emerson – 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 each year as part of its FOREVER FOR EVERYONE endowment.

Puth, a Rumson native 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.

His scholarship aims to support promising music students like Emerson and Abigail.

“I’m so proud to see Abigail and Emerson recognized with this year’s scholarships,” Puth said. “Hearing about their talent and dedication reminds me why we started this program just two years ago. It means a lot to support young artists through the Count Basie Center for the Arts and help give them opportunities to keep growing and chasing their dreams.”

Granata’s interest in the arts spans from ballet, jazz and hip-hop dance to acting and vocals.

In addition to her 7+ years of vocal training, she has performed in musicals with the Basie Center Turner Academy, Matawan’s Spotlight Players, the Middletown Arts Center and more.

With Puth’s scholarship, Granata said she plans on using the scholarship to further her dream of becoming a professional performing artist.

“I am beyond grateful to be chosen as a recipient of the Charlie Puth Music Performance Scholarship,” Granata said. “I look forward to continuing my musical theatre education at the Basie Center Academy through dance, vocal, and acting coaching, and also to explore classes that I’ve never tried before. I’m so thankful to the Basie Center Academy for providing me the training that will get me closer to my dreams of Broadway.”

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