From a cappella bass to folk storyteller: the evolution of Avriel Benjamin Kaplan
In short: Before he was a global pop sensation, Avriel Benjamin Kaplan was a student of opera and jazz. After leaving the high-pressure world of Pentatonix, he traded vocal percussion for the acoustic textures of folk, drawing deep inspiration from the towering landscapes of his native California and a lifelong love of storytelling.
Born in Visalia, California, in 1989, Avriel Benjamin Kaplan grew up immersed in the natural beauty of the nearby Sequoia National Park. His early musical foundation was built on the classic folk sounds of Simon & Garfunkel and John Denver, though his formal training at Mt. San Antonio College focused on the technical rigors of opera and choral studies. This diverse background proved pivotal when he joined the a cappella group Pentatonix in 2011. As the group's vocal bass, Kaplan helped propel them to massive commercial success, including three Grammy Awards and over six million in album sales.
Despite the group's meteoric rise, the relentless pace of the industry eventually took its toll. In 2017, Kaplan announced his departure, citing the difficulty of maintaining a demanding touring schedule that kept him away from his family. This transition marked a significant shift in his artistic identity. He moved away from the polished, pop-centric arrangements of his former group to explore more intimate, folk-oriented soundscapes. Under the moniker Avriel & the Sequoias, he began releasing solo material that reflected his personal connection to the natural world and his roots in California.
Since leaving the group, Kaplan has focused on building a solo career defined by authenticity and collaboration. His debut studio album, Floating on a Dream, released in 2022, was produced by country musician Shooter Jennings and showcased a more grounded, acoustic direction. He has continued to experiment with his live performances, such as forming the Oregon Forest Choir in 2025 to accompany his tour. Beyond his own music, Kaplan remains dedicated to education, having co-founded the A Cappella Academy in 2014 to mentor young performers aged 12 to 18, ensuring that the next generation of vocalists has the tools to find their own unique voices.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Avi Kaplan
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