Draft:Van Whatever
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| Van Whatever | |
|---|---|
 Van Whatever performing live at Caffeine Underground in Brooklyn, New York | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jessica Dawn Van Der Zyde |
| Also known as | Van Whatever |
Early Life
[edit]Van Der Zyde was born in Paterson, New Jersey, to John and Darlene Van Der Zyde, both experts in the cybersecurity field. Her mother’s roots trace back to Syria, while her father’s heritage is Dutch. Raised in Budd Lake, NJ, she grew up with her younger sister, Gabrielle, in a household where discipline and intellectual curiosity were valued, though her path was not always conventional.
From a young age, she showed a strong affinity for music. By the age of four, she was already taking piano and music theory lessons, which laid the foundation for her lifelong passion. Throughout her time at Mount Olive High School in Flanders, NJ, music became her true strength. She thrived in the school’s music programs[1] and was consistently recognized as the first chair saxophonist in each ensemble offered.
At 18, Van Der Zyde enlisted[2] in the United States Marine Corps, seeking structure and purpose, but her time in the military was short-lived, as she was discharged after 10 months. The next chapter of her life led her to County College of Morris, where she pursued college courses[3] for a time before ultimately leaving school to dive into the workforce, beginning in the healthcare industry.
In December 2023, she released her first alternative music project, Overnight Shift, a milestone that reflected years of personal growth and creativity.
Education
[edit]Van Der Zyde attended Mount Olive High School, where she excelled in French, English, and music, and earned accolades for her academic achievements and leadership roles in the school bands, namely the Jazz Ensemble. Her time there solidified her interest in music, setting the stage for further pursuit.
After graduating, Van Der Zyde pursued higher education at County College of Morris, majoring in International Studies. During her time at college, she was involved in the LGBQTIA+ Club as its vice president, gaining valuable hands-on experience in leadership.
Career
[edit]Van Der Zyde worked as a pharmacy technician, balancing the demands of the healthcare industry with a deep passion for music. While assisting pharmacists and managing prescriptions, she spent her free time writing and composing songs, often using music as a creative outlet. Her dedication to her craft paid off when, quite unexpectedly, one of her songs, Winter, gained traction and went semi-viral, leading to an influx of attention from fans and industry professionals alike.
In July 2024, after seeing the growing success of her music following her release of the EP Figure 8’s & Butterflies, Van Der Zyde made the bold decision to transition to writing and producing music full-time. Leaving her pharmacy technician role behind, she fully embraced her artistic career, diving into new projects and connecting with her expanding audience. Today, she continues to build on her newfound success, blending her experiences in the healthcare field with her passion for songwriting.
Personal Life
[edit]As of 2024, Van Der Zyde is focused on her career in music, having transitioned to full-time songwriting and production after gaining attention with her debut music project in December 2023. While continuing to build on her musical success, she remains open about her personal journey, particularly her struggles with substance abuse. Having attended multiple rehabilitation programs, Van Der Zyde is committed to personal growth and recovery, using her experiences to inspire others and to advocate for mental health awareness.
Outside of her music career, Van Der Zyde maintains a low-key personal life, spending time with close family members and her boyfriend. She is currently based in New Jersey and continues to work on new music projects, expanding her reach within the alternative music scene.
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
• Overnight Shift (2023)
• Lines Of You (2024)
• Out Of NYC (2024)
EPs & singles
• Figure 8’s & Butterflies (2024)
• Frenemies (2024)
• 1773 (Bonus Track) (2024)
• Cry No More (Bonus Track) (2024)
• Brooklyn (2024)
• Vagabond (Remastered) (2024)
• Hate Me (2024)
References
- ^ "Mount Olive High students perform at university festival". New Jersey Hills. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ "Congressional Record, Volume 163 Issue 70 (Tuesday, April 25, 2017)". www.govinfo.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ ResearchGate