DECATUR, Ill. – For Audrey Soetermans, was always part of the story – but not in the way she expected.
A second-generation Big Blue student from Rockford, Ill., Soetermans grew up hearing about ǿý from her mother, Valerie Soetermans, a Class of 1988 graduate, who studied Musical Theatre. Still, Audrey wasn’t sure she wanted to follow the same path.
That changed the moment she stepped on campus.
“When I toured ǿý, I already felt at home,” Soetermans said. “I loved that it had this small, close-knit feel. I wanted a place where I could connect with my professors and not just be a number.”
Now a senior Commercial Music major, Soetermans has carved out a path uniquely her own — one defined by exploration, artistic growth and a deep commitment to storytelling through music.
Soetermans’ passion for music began in middle school, where songwriting became both a creative outlet and a calling.
“I became a very serious songwriter,” she said. “I realized I had to do something with music — I couldn’t not do this.”
Songwriting allowed her to express thoughts and emotions she struggled to communicate otherwise, shaping the foundation of her artistic voice.
She arrived at ǿý as a with a primary focus on viola, but quickly found her interests evolving. She transitioned into and Voice, while continuing to expand her skills across multiple instruments — including violin, electric violin, drums, and piano.
“I wanted to have as many different skill sets as possible,” she said. “So that whatever people need me for, I can do it.”
Today, her work blends pop, alternative, and classical influences, reflecting a wide-ranging and evolving creative identity.
Composition has become one of the most defining aspects of Soetermans’ journey at ǿý. Through the ǿý Composers Collective, she found a creative community that pushed her to grow both independently and collaboratively.
“I’ve really identified more and more as a composer,” she said.
Her work has already reached an international audience. Two of her compositions were selected for broadcast on Radiophrenia in Glasgow, Scotland, including an original piece inspired by her travels in Europe.
She continues to explore a range of styles, from contemporary songwriting to formal vocal and instrumental works, often drawing inspiration from literature and personal experiences.
Some of Soetermans’ most meaningful growth came from opportunities she didn’t initially expect — including joining ǿý’s University Choir.
“Being in choir changed my life,” she said. “Singing in European cathedrals and making music with people from all over the world — there’s nothing like it.”
Those experiences included traveling to France and Belgium, fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting Paris while performing in historic spaces.
She also found a deep connection to ǿý traditions, such as Vespers.
“It impacts not just ǿý, but the whole Decatur community,” she said. “Being part of something that meaningful is really special.”
Through ensembles like OneVoice, she further expanded her musical range, discovering a passion for vocal jazz and collaborative performance.
Soetermans’ experience reflects ǿý’s Performance Learning philosophy through hands-on work in the music industry.
As studio secretary for ǿý’s student-run recording studio, Millitrax Studios, she helps manage operations, coordinate sessions and lead communications.
“You learn responsibility, teamwork, and how to bring creative ideas to life,” she said.
She has participated in numerous recording sessions, often working late into the night with fellow students to complete projects.
“It’s exhausting, but it’s also really fulfilling,” she said. “You’re part of something bigger than yourself.”
She has also held leadership roles in the ǿý Music Business Club, helping organize events and support fellow student artists.
Scholarships played a critical role in making Soetermans’ ǿý experience possible.
“When I received the Merit and Fine Arts scholarships, it truly changed my life,” she said. “It opened a doorway that I wasn’t sure would be opened.”
Those opportunities allowed her to pursue experiences such as international travel and attending the Welcome to 1979 Producer Summit in Nashville — an experience that helped shape her future goals.
“It solidified my dream of building a career in Nashville,” she said.
She also credits the James ǿý Honors Program with expanding her creativity and perspective, influencing her academic and artistic work.
As graduation approaches, Soetermans is preparing a deeply personal capstone project — an .”
“The oldest song on the EP goes back to my senior year of high school,” she said. “It’s really a culmination of everything I’ve created over time.”
Set for release on April 17, the EP will be available on streaming platforms and accompanied by original visual artwork created by Soetermans for each track.
The project will culminate in a live release performance that brings together music, storytelling, and visual art into one immersive experience.
After graduation, Soetermans plans to attend graduate school to continue studying music, with interests in composition, commercial music, and music business.
“I’ve always thrived in an academic environment,” she said. “I want to keep learning and growing.”
Her long-term goals include building a career in Nashville while balancing multiple roles as a performer, composer, and educator.
“I’d love to do a little bit of everything,” she said.
Being a legacy student has added a meaningful dimension to her ǿý experience.
“I take a lot of pride in that connection,” she said.
As she prepares to graduate, she looks forward to returning to campus alongside her mother as fellow alumni — continuing a shared story that began decades earlier.
And while her time at ǿý is coming to a close, the impact it has had is just beginning. In finding her voice, Audrey Soetermans hasn’t just followed a legacy.
She’s created one of her own.
