Our Team

Kaori Kiki Caplan

Kaori “Kiki” Caplan was born in Tokyo and raised in the countryside of Japan. She studied at Tokyo College of Music High School and Tokyo College of Music, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance.

After graduating from school, Kiki joined a band with a major label debut from Epic Sony. She gigged continuously, supporting artists such as Ben E. King, The Stylistics,Three Degrees and top acts of Japan, and can be heard on many recordings for pop, funk and soul artists and in commercial music for film and TV. Kiki moved to New York in 2013 and right away met Fred Thomas of the J.B.'s, longtime bass player for James Brown. Since then, she has become a permanent member of Fred's band.

Kiki joined forces with C.A.R.E. LLC in 2017 as the head music instructor beginning with PS 156, PS 213, JHS 218, JHS 292, IS 364 and MS 226. She teaches steelpan, violin, piano, recorder, brass band, solfege, and general music. Kiki created a unique Rhythm Book and Singing Book and arranged all music scores for Steel Pan orchestra.

In 2020, Kiki spearheaded online classes at schools including PS 38, PS 124, PS 392, IS3

Current and past schools include BCMS, P.S. 038, P.S. 375, P.S. 399, I.S. 364, I.S. 171, J.H.S. 218, J.H.S. 292, P.S. 013, P.S. 190, P.S. 213, P.S. 306, MAXWELL H.S., P.S. 188, P.S. 329, P.S. 109, P.S. 245, I.S. 392, P.S./ I.S. 155, P.S. 156, P.S. 178, P.S. 184, P.S. 284, P.S. 298, P.S. 327, MOTT HALL IV, J.H.S. 226, M.S. 053.

Kiki’s teaching motto is, “Learn more, Enjoy more.” During her time teaching she has organized a step-by-step approach to learning/internalizing new material and performing those pieces in an ensemble. She began Science of Music in 2024 with her husband, Gabriel, to expand their reach to students within New York City.

Gabriel Caplan

Gabriel Caplan is a teaching artist, performer, producer and writer. He has performed globally and nationally as guitarist for the touring James Brown Band, Fred Thomas of the J.B.'s. and Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens. He produced the debut singles for Fred Thomas of the J.B.'s, James Brown's bass player over a 35 year period, writing "Nothing's Gonna Change (My Love for You)" and "For a Lick and a Promise.

Gabriel began teaching in public schools in 2018 through C.A.R.E. LLC. His focus is music production, songwriting, steel pan, piano, recorder, guitar, music theory, performance technique, and improvisation. He has led the Waverly Sound Steel Pan Orchestra at events and galas throughout the city.

In ensembles, Gabriel includes the music of James Brown as taught to him by Fred Thomas and has had student collaborations with Mr. Thomas including the 2023 Counseling in Schools Gala “Measures of Hope”.

Current and past schools include H.S. Civil Rights, BCMS, P.S. 038, P.S. 375, P.S. 399, I.S. 364, I.S. 171, J.H.S. 218, J.H.S. 292, P.S. 013, P.S. 190, P.S. 213, P.S. 306, MAXWELL H.S., P.S. 188, P.S. 329, P.S. 109, P.S. 245, I.S. 392, P.S./ I.S. 155, P.S. 156, P.S. 178, P.S. 184, P.S. 284, P.S. 298, P.S. 327, MOTT HALL IV, J.H.S. 226, M.S. 053. Gabriel has taught online classes via Zoom and Google Classroom.

Gabriel's mission in Science of Music is to bring the joy of music to each student and with the skill sets for success. Classes balance hard work and discipline as a means to achieve freedom in musical expression. Gabriel began Science of Music in 2024 with his wife, Kiki, to expand their reach to students within New York City.