ROCKPORT — Camden Hills Regional High School Senior Myles Kelley has been named the Visual and Performing Arts’ Student of the Month for January 2020.

He was first introduced to music through the study of classical piano at the age of seven. Upon further study, he eventually learned the blues style and developed a passion for jazz. This passion led him to work with Stu Gurley at the Midcoast Music Academy where he learned to practice efficiently and became inspired to listen to the great jazz artists.

As a result, he has particularly enjoyed learning the art of jazz improvisation along with the spontaneity it brings.

Myles has been involved in nearly every aspect of the music program at Camden Hills. He is a four-year participant in Concert Band, Jazz Band and Chorale. He has been a regular in the “pit band” for a variety of musicals and sings in the vocal ensemble The Off-Beats. Myles has also been active in the winter and spring plays. His composition for the winter one-act play earned an award at the State Drama Festival.

Outside of school, Myles helped to found the Extension Chords, a jazz trio that regularly performs throughout the Midcoast area. This ensemble placed first place in the MAMM SLAMM (a competition in Portland for young musicians) and earned the trio a $1000 cash prize.

In addition to attending summer music camps, he had the opportunity to perform at the “Jazz in June” festival in 2019. Myles also enjoys composing and has created a number of selections for the Extension Chords that may be heard on Spotify. This year, Myles will be composing and arranging an original tune for the CHRHS Jazz Band to perform in the spring.

Myles has achieved many honors throughout his high school tenure. He has performed as a keyboard percussionist in the District 3 Honors Band and last year earned the top spot for mallet percussion at All-State. He will again perform with both of these ensembles in 2020. Myles has also been recognized for his piano performance with the CHRHS Jazz Band at district jazz festivals as well as the Clark Terry Jazz Festival at the University of New Hampshire.

Although Myles has applied to music and engineering schools, he knows that wherever his path takes him, he will always play music in some capacity either has a professional or “just for fun.”