Bright and talented Addison Meachum, a senior at South, can often be found playing guitar at School of Rock alongside her bandmates and participating in both her community and at school through the NHS organization. As a member of the house band for the last three years at School of Rock, Meachum participates in multiple various tours a year. Members of the houseband are able to promote the school through gigs such as Cubby Bear, Basecamp and more. Meachum had the opportunity to perform at events such as Summerfest in Milwaukee in the summer of 2023. Despite her busy schedule, she has been able to manage her school work.
Meachum started playing guitar when she was 10 years old, and then would join School of Rock in the 8th grade where she would start performing on stage.
“Ironically, I wanted to be a country musician because I listened to a lot of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Additionally, I started playing a lot of Beatles music and that sort of became my trademark whenever I performed at middle school talent shows and assemblies,” Meachum said.
Meachum was introduced to school of rock in the summer of 2021 when she met Music director and Drum Instructor Tim Daniels. Meachum joined her first official show that he was directing called “Seattle”, where she had signed up as a

guitarist.
“Addison was shy and quiet, but had offered to be a vocalist for one of the songs listed for the show,” Daniels said, who also highlights her hard work ethic and ability to go above and beyond in all the events she partakes in.
“On the days that she can take a backseat, she still steps up and is there for everyone,” Daniels said.
Meachums growth as a musician has been apparent throughout the years. She has become a great multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, bass, and vocals, while also volunteering as a helper in rookie classes.
“Aside from learning her songs and performing with the band, Addison has

assisted
multiple show directors with covering parts for their shows, and was a helper for multiple
summer camps over the past 2 years,” Daniels said. “Addison would not only learn the songs selected for each camp, she would also help teach the campers their parts on guitar, bass or vocals throughout each week.
Because School of Rock takes up most of Meachum’s time, her main priority includes school, allowing for her to solely concentrate on her music and dedicate her time to the band.
“Addison participates in class discussions and works really well with her classmates,” Staff member Kristen Heckert said. “Her work ethic is definitely one thing worth noting with school related work as well as outside of school, she is a talented musician as well as a diligent student. It has been wonderful having her in class.”
As an empathic person, Meachum enjoys music due to the emotion it’s able to convey, not just for herself, but for others. Music is able to connect many people, as well as affect each individual in quite distinct ways, and that is what Meachum aims to accomplish: to convey the beauty of music to showcase its ability to touch everyone in personal and distinct ways.
“I started to really enjoy playing over the years because of how it feels to be a part of a band,” Meachum said. “You aren’t alone, vulnerable on stage, when you are in a band. You are all working together seamlessly combing each person’s talent to create music. I will keep striving towards doing my best, keeping up with my responsibilities, and being mature so I can enjoy the opportunity of being in my houseband at SOR.”