For Maggie Schneider, a first-year film and television student and aspiring musician, music has always been a major part of her life. Even at the age of 4, Schneider was jamming out to Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” and the soundtrack of “Beauty and the Beast” on her Disney karaoke machine.
As a child, she began learning piano. Though she never took lessons, she was always enthusiastic about learning so she taught herself. Later, Schneider began taking lessons in guitar. She also attended a variety of music camps such as Camp Rock and Camp Jam where she met musicians her age and was exposed to a rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere. She then began to perform at coffee shops and played her first duo set at the Masquerade at the age of 12.
Schneider’s incredible talent was soon recognized by industry members in hotspot music destination Nashville, and she was brought out to record a song with The Everyday Anthem, which was produced by All Time Low drummer Rian Dawson.
One of Schneider’s fondest memories has been with another one of her inspirations, the band State Champs. Schneider has been following them for six years since seeing them in their early days at the Masquerade, and so Schneider created a music video saying she wanted to sing with their band. After extensive sharing and promotion from her friends and family, the video caught the attention of the band. At one of their performances in Atlanta, the lead singer of the band called Schneider up and to perform with them. Schneider got to share her talent in front of 2,000 people that night.
Schneider’s music style is primarily punk and alternative rock. Some of her favorite bands include Paramore and, of course, All Time Low. For Schneider, music is her canvas. If she is having a bad day or if she’s bored, she finds her peace in playing her guitar and writing lyrics.
“I write about everything from friendship to heartbreak,” Schneider said. “Sometimes I write about the rough patches of life, being isolated or lonely. To expand and cover both sides of the spectrum, I write about being comforted and hope and things to look forward to.”
Even though Schneider’s dream is to be a great musician, she has other passions as well, such as her program of study at SCAD Atlanta.
“Studying film and television requires a lot of time, as do most majors here at SCAD,” Schneider said. “This lets me keep music as my own thing, something that I can turn to when I don’t feel like finishing my foundations project or writing an essay. Music doesn’t become work for me and the element of fun might get sucked out if I had to take classes for it or something.”
With a plate mostly full due to her full time college schedule, Schneider still tries to play once a month to stay connected to performing and the music industry. She recently performed at the Masquerade with The TwoTakes, a band comprised of fellow student musicians. Schneider has worked hard and as a result has met her inspirations and continued to gain more exposure for herself and her music. The world should keep an eye out for Schneider and everything she’ll bring to the music industry.
