Xavier Geerman
Composer, musician, and founder of XG Music — born in Aruba, trained in the Netherlands, and driven by a lifelong passion for blending Caribbean heritage with classical and contemporary music.
Xavier Geerman on LinkedInXavier is born
Xavier Geerman was born on August 2, 1987 on the island of Aruba. Most of his family members were amateur musicians who played cover songs at birthday parties, holidays, and family gatherings. As a child, Xavier was encouraged to play percussion like maracas at family parties — a tradition of switching instruments between songs meant everyone could participate.
First electric guitar, first band
At age 12, Xavier bought his first electric guitar and formed Cold Flame with his cousin and best friend — writing songs and performing Blink-182 covers at birthday parties. The band evolved into Counter Clockwise, later renamed Unwanted by Neighbours. He also joined Tipico Hubenil Santa Cruz, performing the Dande tradition and playing for Queen Beatrix. Through Robin Giel, Rocky Giel, and Omar Geerman, he mastered the cuarta and graduated with a Supreme Avansa diploma from the Harpa y Cuarta music school.
Jazz improv classes, writing and arranging
At 13, Xavier shifted from classical guitar to jazz improvisation on electric guitar, writing and arranging complete songs for his band. By 15, he joined his school's jazz ensemble and began studying jazz harmony, sight-reading, and ear training.
Following the music
After graduating high school at 18, Xavier moved to the Netherlands to pursue music. In 2008 he was accepted into Fontys conservatory's preparation year, though live performances with his Aruban band pulled focus from his first-year entry.
Studying and experimenting with genres
Between 2008 and 2012, Xavier studied and experimented across genres, playing with two bands, accompanying artists, performing live every two weeks, and co-writing and recording songs.
Berklee online certificate programs
In January 2012, Xavier began Berklee Online's orchestration for film and TV program, earning a specialist certificate by September. He orchestrated his own compositions including concertos for string ensemble — one still performed by the Jeugd Strijk Ensemble in Apeldoorn.
Study and progress
A year of intensive study: expanding to Berklee's Master's program (8 courses), studying classical music independently, composing background music for clay animation artist Tamara "Claymara" Tanger, and completing piano technician training — graduating in 2014 with one of the highest grades in his class.
Fontys conservatory
Accepted at Fontys conservatory in Tilburg for a bachelor's in classical music composition. He completed his Master's certificate in orchestration for film and TV and participated in the Composition Meets Choreography event at Fontys Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
First classical music event
Earned his propaedeutic diploma and co-organized his first classical music event. Composed "Tumbacali" for the FC Jongebloed ensemble — a piece blending Aruban rhythms with European composition techniques that became a lasting source of inspiration.
Music history, Heikese Kerk, Royal Concertgebouw
Researched Aruban music history for upcoming compositions, visiting Aruba twice. Composed "Philomena" for the Heikese Kerk carillon's 50th anniversary premiere, "Guardian Angel's Plea" inspired by the Paris attacks, and a modern Kyrie Eleison. Andreas van Zoelen commissioned a piece for his saxophone ensemble, premiered at the Royal Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. Co-composed "False Awakening" with Loes Reiling for Composition Meets Choreography.
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