Originally from North Holland, she grew up surrounded by guitar music and began playing at the age of 13, inspired by her father. At 16, she wrote her first original composition during a challenging period in her life, when music became a natural way to process and express what words could not. That moment sparked her lifelong passion for composing: using melody, harmony, and rhythm to tell personal stories and connect with listeners on a deeper level.
Drawing inspiration from diverse musical cultures and genres, Karlijn has developed a distinctive voice that blends lyrical melodies, rhythmic grooves, and cinematic textures. Her performances create an intimate atmosphere of sound and storytelling, where original compositions and creative arrangements are interwoven with reflections that reveal the emotions behind the music.
Karlijn has toured extensively across Europe and Asia and has shared the stage with acclaimed musicians such as Tommy Emmanuel and Peter Finger. Her solo debut album ATLAS (2022) features 11 original works inspired by her travels and life experiences. In 2025, she released the EP PHASES, a seasonal collection of instrumental pieces capturing the changing moods and colors of the year.
She studied at the Conservatory of Utrecht (NL) and later earned a Master of Music in Acoustic Guitar from the Hochschule für Musik Dresden (DE). Her accolades include being a finalist in London’s Acoustic Guitarist of the Year (2018), a place in MusicRadar’s Top 10 Acoustic Guitarists of the Year 2020, and the Sponsor Prize at the European Guitar Award, which she received twice (2021 and 2024). In 2023, she won First Prize at the Francisco Mário International Prize for Modern Guitar – Europe.
