Within the flurry of fresh and creative food, art, nightlife, and entertainment of Saba’s 10-day Rum & Lobster Fest late 2024, a particular musical performer captured my attention not just with her vocals but with her impressive range of styles. Many talented singers wouldn’t attempt distinctive and unique styles ranging from bold and sultry Broadway songs from the shows of the legendary Bob Fosse to the feathery, haunting vocals of Billie Eilish. On stage, under the stars at Windwardside’s Chez Bubba, Caroline De Schryver did just that, making all these songs her own for an intimate and captivated audience. There and then, The Weekender knew she needed to be featured in an artist spotlight in our publication.
As it turns out, twenty-five-year-old Caroline is a singer, songwriter, and dive instructor who used to do music full-time under the artist name ROSE. Originally from The Netherlands, she has also lived in New York, Curaçao, on a boat, and now resides in Saba. For the past year and a half, she’s been in the Caribbean, mostly diving and teaching—a journey she did not know she would have taken years ago. It was a path affected by the pandemic; being a full-time musician was no longer on the books, and she eventually discovered and pursued another passion.
Since arriving in Saba, however, she started to sing again and performs in restaurants in addition to her regular job. She hopes to return to singing full-time in the future. When the opportunity comes, we know she is more than ready! Learn more about her, in her own words.
How did you get into singing, and when/where did you start performing on stage? Who were your earliest musical influences growing up?
If I have to believe my mum, I started singing when I started talking. I joined a little choir at four, started singing lessons at five, and went to conservatoire at 15. My first times performing were at the music school in the village I was from. I did my first TV performance at 12 years old with The Voice Kids in The Netherlands. My earliest musical influences have to be The Sound of Music (Julie Andrews) and Meryl Streep/Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia!
You spent some time in New York. What did you do there, and what are some of your fond memories of the city?
I moved with my family to New York for my stepfather’s job; he worked a couple of years for the United Nations. I finished my high school there doing the International Baccalaureate programme, but every weekend I was in pre-college for music. I attended Manhattan School of Music pre-college and Mannes pre-college. After high school, I continued my music studies at The School of Jazz at The New School.
Some of my favourite memories from my time in New York were the pre-college every weekend, secretly composing in class in high school, going to Smalls in downtown Manhattan, joining the Halloween Parade with my maracatu class, writing songs with my friends in college, and—believe it or not—I loved going to college at The New School.
What brought you all the way to Saba, and what else do you do for a living?
Sadly, after the contract with the UN ended, I moved back with my family to The Netherlands. I continued my music studies there, but due to COVID and mental health issues, I quit my studies. I ended up doing my part-time job as my full-time job, which was working in an aquarium. There, I provided information to all guests about the animals and the ocean. Once in a while, a couple of divers came in to clean some of the aquaria, and that’s where my inspiration for the ocean really sparked. I focused more on diving from that point on. It was only one year after doing my open water certification that I became an instructor, and I have been working as an instructor ever since. That is also how I ended up in the Caribbean because Sint Maarten is where I did my instructor exam.
What is something interesting or surprising about your job, for anyone who isn’t familiar?
I think the coolest part of my job now is that, for the most part, I get to explore a whole other world that exists in ours. There is so much of the ocean out there to see, with animals, corals, sponges, and so much more. I love being part of the dive community, and we all learn from each other every day.
I think my favourite course that I took—and now also teach—is the invasive Lionfish course, where you learn the history of the fish and its invasiveness, how to track the fish, and how to catch and remove it from our seas.
Had you ever heard of the island before this job opportunity came up?
I had not really heard much about this island before the job opportunity came up. If you had told me five years ago, I would be living in the Caribbean now, I would have probably called you crazy. I was always so busy with music that I mainly had my eyes on places where I could work in the industry full-time, but that all changed when I changed industries.
I’ve never heard someone sing such a diverse playlist, which also suited their voice. What influences your choice of songs? And, do you have a favourite genre?
I believe one of the reasons why I like to use a very diverse repertoire is because I really have a personal taste in music. Generally, I don’t fangirl over a single artist. Out of all the music I listen to, there is only one artist that I know every song of, but other than her (Faouzia), I only know a few or a couple of songs per artist.
I love a lot of genres and am always able to find someone who made something that I will enjoy, no matter the genre. In jazz, I like: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Nancy Wilson, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. In rock, I like: Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Heart, The Pretty Reckless, Halestorm, Queen. In hip-hop/rap, I like: NF, Ren, Dax, or anyone who works with Tommee Profitt. In newer music, I like: CHINCHILLA, YONAKA, Halsey, Renee Rapp, EMELINE, Emei, Caity Baser, UPSAHL, DEZI. There just isn’t one genre I prefer—I like them all. Even better is to mix them up, like Tommee Profitt, Leprous, or Faouzia.
Who are your favourite vocalists?
Some of my favourite vocalists include Faouzia, Donna Missal, Sara Bareilles, Yebba, Renee Rapp, and Ella Fitzgerald.
