BRUNSWICK

Brunswick High School junior Kyra Teboe, 15, has been named a 2017 National Young Arts Foundation merit winner in jazz piano.

She joins “691 of the nation’s most promising young artists from 40 states across the literary, visual, design and performing arts,” said YA Foundation spokeswoman Dejha Carrington.

Teboe’s award draws “national attention to the town,” said Mike Scarpone, Brunswick High School music director.

She performed three jazz songs uploaded to YouTube as part of her online application: “Billy’s Bounce,” by Charlie Parker; “Sophisticated Lady,” by Duke Ellington; and “Lazy Bird,” by John Coltrane.

Teboe received an email about two weeks ago alerting her to the award, which offers intangible benefits, too.

“It’s definitely given me a lot of encouragement for one thing, knowing I have a place with very talented jazz musicians in the country,” she said. “It’s definitely made me want to practice more.”

The award provides professional development and training. Teboe will attend a musical clinic in April.

She started playing the piano when she was 6. Matile Hugo of Brunswick was her first teacher. Hugo’s teaching method included ear training, Teboe said. This style helps students connect the sounds they hear with the musical notes being played.

Teboe’s next teacher, Joyce Moulton of Yarmouth, focused on playing classical piano.

Before she began sixth grade, jazz piano caught Teboe’s interest and she began lessons with Matt Fogg.

“I’ve learned a lot about music in general,” she said.

She admits it may sound like a cliché yet it is the freedom of improvisation for jazz musicians that is appealing.

With a rigorous academic schedule and between four and five hours of homework a night, Teboe practices up to two hours a day.

Music is important to the Teboes. Kyra’s father Dana Teboe is a professional trombone player. Her mother Brenda Mower- Teboe included music studies during her college years. Sister Chloe is musical too.

“It’s kind of a family thing,” she said.

A little less than a year ago, Teboe began taking music lessons from jazz pianist Tom Snow of Yarmouth.

“He’s really taught me a lot,” she said. “He’s very encouraging. I am very indebted to him and very lucky that he is here to teach me.”

“I’d like to thank my previous teachers. I certainly would not have gotten this honor without them,” she said.

lconnell@timesrecord.com