Just walking into her room shows her dedication to music, and in every aspect of her room there are hints of her personality.
Despite not participating in any school music groups, Neko is an avid musician outside the classroom. She’s been playing guitar since fourth grade, and music consumes nearly all of her time.
Neko fell in love with music when she was very young, beginning on the guitar. She started learning chords and honing her skills by playing notes by ear. Over time she’s picked up various other instruments including drums, bass guitar and ukulele.
“One of the things I love about music is that you can express yourself through it,” Neko said in interview. “And learning to play guitar, it’s really helped me do that. ”
Over the years, Neko has collected various musical instruments, but she mainly plays three instruments: her bass, her acoustic guitar and her electric guitar.
This passion for music lead her to a summer camp in New York where she practiced with other musicians and performed on stage.
“And I remember one of my favorite moments from that camp experience was actually finishing the song and everyone was screaming and cheering and they held out their hands and I’d high-five all of them and this little boy he was maybe he was like 10 years old he was screaming, pick pick pick! So I threw my bass pick.”
Performing at this camp encouraged Neko to seek out a band back at home. That’s when one of her friends recommended her to a band program run out of Earthworks intended to mimic School of Rock in Gahanna. In the program, Neko plays with four others under the supervision of Jesse Henry , a professional guitarist who teaches out of the studio.
“She brings a lot to the group,” Gigi Stone, the pianist and vocalist of the band, said of Neko. “Having her energy in the studio adds so much to the group dynamic. We’re really lucky to have her.”
Along with playing covers of her favorite bands, Neko writes her own music with the bassist and drummer of this band. Together they are working on an album through various jam sessions.
“Neko always proposes novel ideas for our sessions,” Deli Young, the drummer of Neko’s band, said. “She pours her heart into her music and it makes it so much more fun to hang out with her.”
Beyond Neko’s musical pursuits, she wants to study to be a doctor, but doesn’t want to entirely give up her music career.
“While I’m in college, I could play in gigs and learn how to express myself with my friends and through the music,” Neko said.
Although the future is unsure, one thing is sure: Neko O’dell will continue to play music and connect with her community in every way she can.
“People are loving you and loving the music and everyone’s loving everything and I think it is just so fantastic for that.”
