Audrey Soetermans is an eighteen year old high school senior in Rockford, Illinois. Homeschooled for most of her life, Audrey has had the opportunity to complete all her high school classes while also having the privilege of exploring the creative and performing arts in great depth. Audrey took great interest in music when she was three, displaying perfect pitch and harmonizing to the songs she listened to growing up. She started playing her first instrument, the violin, at the age of eight; gradually as she got older, she started to add on other various instruments including drums, ukulele, piano, electric bass, and viola respectively. In addition Audrey is also a songwriter and a composer. She has written over 85 songs, and has composed an original score based on Mary Shelley’s horror novel Frankenstein.
In addition to performing at Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days for seven years, Audrey has also performed for numerous recitals, various fundraisers, private conventions, a wedding, and will be playing for her graduation ceremony. Audrey has received several exemplary student awards and even received a Merit scholarship from her Private Homeschool Co op of over 300 families. She has received several scholarships from the schools she has applied to, including the Amati String Scholarship, and a presidential scholarship. Audrey plans to attend Millikin University this fall as an honors student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business.
The Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. has awarded over $70,000 to over 50 students to support their desire to study music.
The Gary S. Wilmer Memorial Trust was established in 1996 to honor the memory and continue the legacy of Gary Wilmer by awarding scholarships to students who wish to pursue and education in music. Gary was the founder & publisher of RAM Magazine, a Rockford area music monthly, and a founding organizer of the RAMI awards. Joe Guzzardo, owner of Guzzardo Music, said of Gary, "He was thoughtful and sensitive, and thoroughly understood the problems and needs of local music and musicians." Gary could do it all, be it organizing benefits, booking bands, running sound or lights, helping new music club owners or encouraging new talent to persevere. As the president of his senior class at East High School, as a graduate of Rockford College and as a successful businessman, Gary's 43 years of living showed that education is a marvelous "conductor" of a successful musical life.
It is the sincere hope of the RAMI scholarship committee that the recipients of this scholarship will carry on Gary's legacy with pride.
- Be a college-bound student in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County;
- Be 19 years old or younger as of the application deadline;
- Be attending or planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college/university;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0;
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to further their musical education throughout college; and
- Be actively involved in school or community musical groups.
- Previous Wilmer scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply.
Deadline January 1st. For more information and online application forms, visit www.cfnil.org.
RAMI funds several programs through The Music Academy in Rockford. Each student is nominated by the staff of the Music Academy and must demonstrate financial need. Scholarship covers one year of study.
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PO Box 4128, Rockford, IL 61110
ramicommittee @ ramiawards.com
Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. is classified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the standards of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Therefore, any donations to the Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
