Curaçaoan Music Industry

Freddy Domitilia carried forward one of Curaçao’s most cherished musical legacies as a performer, cultural ambassador, and leader within the island’s traditional music community. Born into a family deeply rooted in music, Freddy learned to play the mandolin from his father, Nemesio “Chi” Domitilia, whose influence shaped not only his technique but his lifelong devotion to preserving the sounds of Curaçao. Chi Domitilia was a foundational figure in the island’s musical history, having founded the legendary Típiko Santa Rosa ensemble in the 1930s.

Etienne Goilo has played an important role in supporting Curaçao’s music community as both a musician and music retailer. As the current owner of Instrucur, the store founded by Tom Smeulders, Etienne has continued its legacy as a gathering place for local players and a trusted source for musical instruments and gear. Having grown up within the island’s close-knit music scene, he developed strong relationships with fellow musicians—many of whom he considers not just customers, but friends. For Etienne, running the store has been as much about community as commerce, and he has take

Tom Smeulders founded Instrucur, a music store on the island of Curaçao, with a passion for supporting musicians and growing the local music community. As a retailer, Tom played an important role in connecting players with instruments and resources, particularly within the guitar market and the broader Caribbean music scene. Through Instrucur, he helped foster access to musical tools and knowledge, contributing to the development of Curaçao’s vibrant and diverse music culture. Among his many contributions, Tom hired a young local musician, Etienne Goilo, to work in the store betwe