Meet the Team
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![Kiki's photo]()
Kaori Kiki Caplan
CO-CEO, FOUNDER
Sax, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder, Piano, Violin, Steel Pan, General Music
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![Gabriel's Photo]()
Gabriel Caplan
CO-CEO, FOUNDER
Guitar, Music Production, Steel Pan, Piano, Recorder, General Music
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![Carter's Photo]()
Carter Yasutake
INSTRUCTOR
Trumpet, Piano, Steel pan, General Music
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![Kelsey's Photo]()
Kelsey Philbrick
INSTRUCTOR
Violin, Piano
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![Brandi's Photo]()
Brandi Thompson
INSTRUCTOR
Vocal, Choir
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![Yonatan's Photo]()
Yonatan Farhi
INSTRUCTOR
Bass, DJ, Steel pan
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 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”. Spring 2025 saw a three-week workshop with Meyer Levin Steel Band, culminating in a video recording James Brown medley of “Pass the Peas,” “Make it Funky,” “Get on the Good Foot,” with Fred on bass.
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.
Carter Yasutake is a native born child of Seattle, hailing from a musical family who nurtured and encouraged his talents in the arts. He began playing trumpet and piano at a young age, attending the prestigious Washington Middle School & Garfield High School music programs.
In 2002, he moved to New York City to study jazz at New School University and build a career performing and teaching the arts. Carter has performed with such notable acts as Irving StreetRepertory, LCD Soundsystem, Macklemore, David Byrne & St. Vincent.
Carter currently resides in Flatbush, Brooklyn with his wife and son. He continues to create and work with local acts including Living Language, Hess is More, Don Hanson, the Great Long Meadow Fire and his collaborations; Midnight Magic & Choosy Lover. Current and past schools include Madiba Prep, PS066, Mott Hall IV, PS041, teaching trumpet, steel pan, piano and general music.
Kelsey Philbrick Music Strings Kelsey Philbrick is a professional violinist and educator currently residing in New York City.
Born on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and raised in the Chapel Hill, North Carolina area, Kelsey began her violin studies at age 8 in the Suzuki Method. Kelsey went on to pursue Violin Performance degrees from UNC-Greensboro and Appalachian State University, where she studied with Dr. Fabián López and Dr. Nancy Bargerstock, respectively.
Kelsey has performed with numerous symphonies and chamber groups in the United States and Canada. She has served as Assistant Concertmaster and soloist with the Symphony of the Mountains in TN and the Western Piedmont Symphony in NC. She has also performed with the Richmond Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, and Paramount Chamber Players, to name a few. Kelsey has attended summer festivals including the Brevard Music Festival, Hot Springs Music Festival, Richard Luby International Violin Symposium, the Eastern Music Festival as a String Fellow, and the Pacific Region International Music Academy in British Columbia.
She has performed for many prestigious professors, orchestral players, and conductors in lessons and masterclasses, including Andrés Cárdenes, Martin Chalifour, Richard Roberts, Carla Leurs, and Gerard Schwartz, among others.
Beyond classical music, Kelsey has experience performing in diverse styles including pop, rock, and old-time. She has shared the stage with performers from James Ehnes, Anne Akiko Meyers, and Nadja Solerno-Sonnenberg, to Michael Bublé, Mannheim Steamroller, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Kelsey has received traditional pedagogy training at Appalachian State University and Suzuki training from East Carolina University. She has experience teaching private lessons to students of a variety of ages and levels through music schools such as the Chapel Hill School of Musical Arts, the App State Community Music School, and St. Mary's Music Academy. She has also taught as an Adjunct Instructor of Violin at Appalachian State University and Guilford College.
Since moving to NYC, Kelsey has assisted students in orchestral, classroom, and private lesson settings through the Joyous Music School and the Harmony Program. Kelsey has performed with the Chelsea Symphony, the Symphony of Westchester, and at Carnegie Hall with the New York International Chamber Orchestra. Kelsey plays on a 2008 Italian violin made by Andrea DeMeo. She currently teaches violin at P.S./I.S.155, P.S.183Q, and BCMS.
Brandi Thompson is a world-renowned singer who has captivated audiences around the globe, performing alongside legendary artists and in some of the world's most prestigious venues. Her impressive resume includes collaborations with talents like Aloe Blacc, Sophie B. Hawkins, Pat Benatar and many more, spanning various genres and eras.
Brandi's powerful voice has graced both national and international stages, from iconic local spots like Madison Square Garden and Citi Field to far-flung destinations such as Athens, Greece, and Frankfurt, Germany. Her original music resonates on the radio, TV and film, most recently in the 2024 version of the Mean Girls movie. You can catch Brandi performing live when she goes on the road in August and September of 2025 supporting acclaimed musician Neil Young on his North American tour.
With more than a decade of professional singing, teaching and performance experience, Brandi is passionate about sharing her vocal know-how, stage presence, studio expertise and songwriting skills with students right here in NYC, including the choir at Brooklyn's PS323.
Yonatan Farhi was born in Boston, MA in 1999. He spent his high school years studying at the prestigious Thelma Yellin School of the Arts in Israel and performing with the Young Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Eilat Jazz Festival.
During school, he studied classical bass with Mr. Nir Comforty of the Israeli Philharmonic orchestra and jazz bass with Mr. Barak Mori from New York City.
In 2016, Yonatan was awarded a scholarship to participate at the Berklee College of Music’s Five-Week Jazz Workshop program run by Ms. Terri Lynn Carrington. That summer, he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to study at Berklee. In July of 2021, Yonatan performed with the Daniel Cohen Quintet at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival. During his studies, he participated in a performing ensemble led by Ms. Tia Fuller and spent a semester at Berklee’s Valencia campus, where he studied flamenco guitar with various Spanish masters.
Yonatan spent time in music therapy practicum working both in special education and in nursing homes. As a senior, he tutored his fellow peers at Berklee in music theory and ear training.
In December 2020 Yonatan graduated Berklee summa cum laude, with a degree in Professional Music (concentration: Music in Special education).
Between 2021 and 2022, Yonatan spent his time working in the Tel Aviv music scene, mainly playing with esteemed jazz guitar virtuoso Nitzan Bar and successful singer/songwriter Omri Keren. During this time, he also managed the Moadon Hasalon jazz club in Ra’anana and worked as a freelance bass player (with artists such as pop star Noga Erez and renowned Trombonist Yonatan Voltzok) playing in classic Israeli venues and festivals such as Beit Ha’amudim, Eilat Jazz Festival, the Barby club, Indinegev Festival, Genesis Festival Hanger 11, Tel Aviv Piano Festival, etc.
Nowadays, Yonatan lives and works as a freelance musician in New York City. He teaches DJing, steel pan, and general music at schools including P.S. 059 The Dawn Best, Mott Hall IV, P.S. 041, and P.S. 066.