Valparaiso University Student Builds Connection and Confidence Through Music

At Valparaiso University, music builds community, inspires growth, and gives students like Liv Sobel ‘27 the space to radiate their passion. A music education student, Liv has been immersed in music her entire life. She began playing piano at age two and violin at six. In her junior year of high school, she realized music wasn’t just a hobby – it was her calling. “Building community through music is something I really love,” Liv says. “It’s something that every culture has.” 

At Valpo, music is more than performance – it’s storytelling, emotion, and connection across cultures and communities. Encouraged by her high school band director – Valpo alumnus Steve Willemssen ‘01 – Liv toured Valparaiso University as her first college visit, which sparked something meaningful. Now a dedicated music education major, she has found a place where her passion can shine. The Department of Music has become a space where she is constantly challenged to grow – not just in skill but in how she communicates through music. Through ensemble work, field experiences, and one-on-one mentorship, Liv has learned to prioritize expression over perfection, and to embrace discomfort as a path to growth.

One of the most impactful parts of Liv’s journey at Valpo has been her fieldwork in local classrooms, where she’s taught elementary and middle school string students. When speaking about her fifth-grade students, Liv says, “They’re just learning to play their instruments. Encouraging them that it’s okay to mess up – watching them get excited about playing their instruments – has been a really valuable experience.” Working with young musicians at different stages of learning has allowed her to witness their growth firsthand. Encouraging students to embrace mistakes as part of the process, she’s seen how music can build both skill and self-belief.

Valpo’s music education program stands out for its early and immersive experience. Liv has already stepped into real classrooms, collaborated with professional musicians, and achieved the honor of winning the Valpo Concerto Competition and performing with the Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2024 – a rare opportunity for a student. In her colloquium course, she’s challenged to grow through performance and feedback, gaining valuable perspectives from peers and professors. Liv’s experience reflects the energy, passion, and purpose that define a Valpo music education.

Valpo’s faculty have played an essential role in helping Liv stay grounded and connected to her purpose. In moments when the path ahead felt uncertain or overwhelming, her professors provided academic guidance, reassurance, and encouragement. Mentorship, honest feedback, and ongoing support helped her see that she was meant to be doing this work. This sense of purpose, reaffirmed by the faculty and community, has helped Liv remain focused on her goals and resilient in the face of challenges.

Outside of academics, Liv is deeply involved in campus life. She serves on campus in various roles, such as vice president of finance for Valpo’s chapter of the Kappa Delta sorority, in the Celebrate! worship band at the Chapel of the Resurrection, and as a member of the National Association for Music Educators. Through these communities, she’s found lifelong friendships and support – people who show up for her performances, just as she cheers them on at their swim meets or events.

Looking ahead, Liv hopes to pursue graduate studies with dreams of both teaching and performing. But more than anything, she hopes to create a future classroom where every student feels seen, safe, and inspired to chase their passion – just as she’s experienced at Valpo. When speaking about her future, Liv says, “I hope to create a classroom that feels welcoming to all students and feels like a place where they belong.”

At Valparaiso University, Liv Sobel is more than a student – she is a light for others, grounded in her belief that everyone is meant to follow a path filled with purpose. Through music, teaching, and community, she is discovering her calling while encouraging those around her to do the same. Her experiences here at Valpo have helped her uncover that purpose and surrounded her with people who reaffirm it every step of the way. Her story reflects the power of finding meaning in what you love – and it’s only just beginning.Learn how Valpo’s music education program combines early classroom experience, personalized faculty mentorship, and a vibrant campus community to prepare the next generation of music educators.