Middletown Teen Studying Classical Guitar Receives Basie Center Scholarship

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A teenage girl from Middletown just received a music performance scholarship from the Basie Center for the Arts.

The Middletown teen is Abigail Kistler, 17, and she is currently learning classical guitar. The other scholarship was given to Emerson Granata, 15, of Holmdel, who is studying dance, singing and theater.

The two teens will each receive $1,500 from the Basie Center, which they can put to lower their tuition at the Basie's Turner Academy musical or vocal performance program. These are the Charlie Puth Musical Performance scholarships, named for the singer/songwriter who grew up in Rumson. 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 in 2023.

Kistler is a student at Middletown High School South. She spent her early years singing and playing guitar in her church, and she's currently in the Middletown South honors choir.

She is currently taking classical guitar lessons through the Turner Academy’s music conservatory at the Basie. Kistler has also dabbled in local productions, such as when she played Vi Moore in South’s production of "Footloose" and she played guitar in Red Bank Catholic’s recent production of "The Addams Family Musical."

“The Basie Center has been a big part of my life for the last five years, mainly through classical guitar, but this scholarship makes it possible for me to add voice lessons to my musical training, which I’ve wanted to do for a long time," said the teen.

The scholarships were announced Tuesday. Every year, the Basie Center awards hundreds of need--and merit-based scholarships, as part of its FOREVER FOR EVERYONE endowment.

“I’m so proud to see Abigail and Emerson recognized with this year’s scholarships,” said Puth. “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.”