ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DR. STEPHEN CAPLAN By: Elizabeth D. Stephen Caplan sits with his parents as a kid at a Rapides Symphony Orchestra concert; this is where his interest in music is ignited. Since his parents were huge supporters of the arts, Caplan finds himself in the audience frequently as a child. While listening to the variety of different types of instruments, the oboe stands out to him the most when a visiting player and professor from LSU joins the symphony as a guest. With not many local oboists to emulate, Caplan becomes more intrigued with the instrument. Eventually his interest in the oboe results in him practicing with the ASH Band in preparation for a trip to Austria, since the band needed an oboe player. “I think I attended ASH for five years,” Caplan said jokingly. He began working with the band in 8th grade as a student at Brame Middle School. He continued to play music at ASH throughout his high school career. Caplan graduated from Alexandria Senior High School in 1976 and attended Northwestern University in Chicago, a strong liberal arts college where he pursued music at the collegiate level. After college, Caplan earned his doctorate from the University of Michigan. Caplan was encouraged to pursue doctoral studies there after taking lessons from a professor, whom he admired at the university. Before finishing his degree, he was offered his first teaching position at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. As a professor at UNLV, Caplan was then hired as the Principal Oboist in the Las Vegas Philharmonic. As a Principal Oboist and Professor, Caplan has earned many impressive credentials throughout his career. “Living and working in Las Vegas has given me lots of opportunities to collaborate with artists that I may not otherwise have the chance to meet,” Caplan said. “Working with Ray Charles and Hilary Hahn have been some of the highlights. I’ve also been asked to play at the Vegas Star Trek Convention, which somehow always falls after the costume party. It’s a fun experience,” Caplan said. Caplan not only is involved in the music industry, but he has also authored two books and a website that teaches people how to move their body properly while playing. In addition to his books and videos, he also publishes articles regularly. “You must commit your time to learning, practicing, and perfecting the music,” Caplan says as he considers the best pieces of advice for a student pursuing a career in the arts. “If you love something you must commit to it and work with as many people as you can in that particular field.” Caplan’s passion for music and commitment to education is evidenced in his large body of work as well as in the joy he exudes when speaking about his endeavors.
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