For many regional and rural students, a career in the music industry can feel worlds away. Long drives, limited opportunities, and the pressure to choose a “stable” path often overshadow creative ambition. But for Collarts Audio Production alum Willow Smith, growing up in Timboon didn’t hold her back—it shaped a journey that has already led her to work with some of Australia’s biggest names in music.
Today, only one year after graduating, Willow’s audio work supports AusMusic Month, helping showcase major artists like Amy Shark, The Temper Trap, and Guy Sebastian. Her voice, skills, and creativity can even be heard in the audio played in JB Hi-Fi stores around the country.
But her path into audio wasn’t always obvious.
Growing up more than 200 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, Willow spent her teenage years forming a band, completing VET Music, and squeezing music into every spare moment. Yet, like many regional creatives, she doubted whether it could be anything more than a hobby. As she recalls:
“I loved music,” she says, “but I wasn’t sure I could turn it into a career.”
With university choices looming, she assumed marine biology might be the more sensible option.
That changed when she heard about the Bachelor of Audio Production at Collarts.
Living hours from Melbourne, Willow feared that studying audio meant major travel. But Collarts’ flexible approach changed everything.
“The interview was really chill, and they allowed me to do it virtually because it would have taken hours to get to Melbourne and back, which I really appreciated. I was accepted even before I had received my ATAR score.”
Applying through VTAC, Willow experienced firsthand Collarts’ commitment to assessing talent, passion, and potential—not a number.
And she wasn’t alone. In 2025, 7 out of 10 Victorian Collarts students came from regional Victoria, showing a dramatic shift in how rural creatives are accessing tertiary pathways in the arts.
Once she started studying, Willow immersed herself in the full spectrum of audio production—
“from recording live sound, to pre- and post-production and mixing.”
That experience reshaped how she viewed her future.
“It was the perfect career for me. I loved music but playing was really just for me. Audio production meant I now have a job in music.”
Through her degree, she discovered not just her strengths, but the many hidden roles that make up Australia’s music and film industries.
One of the most powerful moments in Willow’s journey came through a Collarts internship at the Port Fairy Folk Festival.
As a longtime fan of The East Pointers, Willow was stunned when she was placed directly on stage with them during their performance. The internship offered hands-on experience in live sound, stage management, and artist support—while standing metres from a band she adored.
Working the show helped solidify her love for audio production and showed her what it felt like to be part of a real festival team. It was a defining moment that gave her the confidence and industry insight she still draws on today.
Willow’s next step came through another Collarts-led internship:
“a film I cant talk about because I’ve signed an NDA but it used all my skills, essentially redoing all the sound except for the dialogue. Every explosion, footstep needed to be embedded into the film.”
This deep dive into post-production gave her real-world experience that became invaluable when she graduated.
Shortly after finishing her degree, Willow secured a full-time role as Creative Production Coordinator at QSIC, a Melbourne-based software company specialising in in-store audio for major brands.
Today, she develops the soundscapes heard in 7-Eleven (US and Australia), Liquorland, and—her favourite project—creating bespoke audio grabs featuring Australian artists for AusMusic Month.
This November, Willow’s work plays a part in celebrating and elevating homegrown talent nationwide.
Through her role at QSIC, she has helped create in-store audio featuring artists like Amy Shark, The Temper Trap, and Guy Sebastian—bringing local music into the everyday shopping experience of thousands of Australians.
For someone who once doubted whether music could ever be a real job, it’s a full-circle moment.
Looking back, Willow credits Collarts for not only teaching her the technical skills, but giving her the belief and opportunity to pursue audio as a career. As she puts it:
“I found my place in the world at Collarts, it helped me get the skills and the work experience that means I have a career in music, which I love and is a perfect fit.”
Hear Willow’s Full Story - 🎧 Listen to Willow’s ABC interview (1:18:50 – 1:27:03):
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/vic-statewide-mornings/mornings/106041528