Meet Stella Kaplan | Musician, Performer & Film and Media Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stella Kaplan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stella, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was lucky to have a childhood that was all about the arts—music, theater, dance. My parents could tell it was all I cared about. I started on violin at 4. Then came the theater camps and Irish dance. In middle and high school I picked up more instruments (mandolin, bass, drums, keys) and was in a bunch of bands. At that point I pretty much knew I wanted to be a performing and recording musician. Studying film scoring at Berklee College of Music got me into composing too. Another factor in all this is that my parents are artists as well (my mom is a sculptor and photographer, my dad a writer). There was always some weird project or conversation going on that kept artistic things front and center. So a career in music always seemed to be where I was headed. And I’m glad for that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a multi-instrumentalist (primarily bass and mandolin) who plays in lots of styles (rock, Celtic, choro, pop, punk, r & b, jazz, classical). I’m in a bunch of bands. What sets me apart, I suppose, is that I bring it when I perform.

I’m a composer. I recently had the opportunity to be a co-composer on the score for the Disney+ show Percy Jackson & The Olympians (which was a dream because I was a huge fan of the Percy Jackson series as a kid). I wrote and released a Celtic album (available on primalhouse music) and have scored several independent films. Currently I’m working with the composer Mark Orton on various projects.

I do session work. Last year I recorded in the studio on bass for composer Nicoletta Nomicou’s score for the film Estelle.

I’m a freelance transcriber. I’ve made lead sheets for a few tv shows on Netflix, for musicians recording in the studio, for Berklee professors, and for others in the industry.

I teach. I’m currently Music Director for School of Rock Woodland Hills. I help design and oversee the music program, give lessons on bass and guitar, and run performance groups. It’s a blast.

So, yeah: I do a lot! I guess that’s another thing that sets me apart—and that I’m always down to contribute or collaborate. Need a bass or mandolin? I’m in. Need an arrangement or some music written? I got you.

I would say I’m most proud of “the journey,” as the saying goes—the things I’ve tried, the experiences I’ve had, the good start I’ve gotten off to in my career. I’m grateful for the support I’ve had from family, teachers, and friends along the way. Hasn’t always been easy (misogyny, anyone?!).

I’m still learning how to embrace my creativity. The music industry is a tough place, and it’s easy to compare yourself to everyone else. I’m trying to focus on doing things my own way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Still learning LA for sure, and I wouldn’t exactly bill myself as a travel agent. But here goes:

Head to the coast, maybe a little north of Santa Monica (which can be hella crowded), for a walk on Ginger Rogers Beach. Stop for lunch at Patrick’s Roadhouse, which has great diner food, antiques hanging from the ceilings, statues all over the roof, and an ocean view.

Head to West Hollywood for brunch at Hugo’s. Stop at the fantastic indie bookstore Book Soup. Catch a show at The Peppermint Club, an awesome 60s-style venue.

Take a side trip to Joshua Tree. On the way, stop at the Copper Room in Yucca Valley for a Dirty Martini. Or a Dirty Shirley.

Hit Hollywood Forever, the cemetery next to Paramount Studios. Visit Judy Garland, Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B. Demille, and Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone. If it’s summer, catch a cemetery film screening.

Hike in the Santa Monica Mountains for beautiful views and cool breezes (and a break from the LA heat). Catch a show at the Greek Theatre.

Hit Glendale (which I’m partial to—it’s where I live!) and head to Bea Bea’s for breakfast (huge, fantastic menu). Get a dirty chai. Stop at my apartment for a meet-and-greet with Duchess and Apollo, my kitties. Grab dinner at the fantastic Carousel.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people. Shoutout first of all to my parents for their unwavering support and guidance as I found my musical footing. I started as a classically trained violinist, and they saw—when I was too young to see it—that classical wasn’t my thing. They encouraged me to find my passion and helped me find it. Now I’m a multi-instrumentalist who plays all kinds of genres and styles (rock, Celtic, choro, pop, punk, r & b, jazz, classical). Majorly grateful to them for helping me get there.

My first music teacher, Timoteus Racz, a Hungarian who grew up under Soviet rule and taught European style with a flair you rarely see. He did more than teach me music—he taught me how to love it and speak the language.

Sinéad and Breda Yeates of Yeates Academy of Irish Dance (where I studied for seven years) who connected me to Celtic music through dance.

My mandolin teachers Jan DeWeese (who got me playing Celtic and choro) and Zak Borden, who was great to jam with.

My School of Rock Portland instructors Danny Fish, Josh Thomas, Dave Coniglio, and loads more who set me loose on stage.

Drummer Alan Jones, who instructed me in jazz and opened my eyes to new concepts of music theory.

My profs at Berklee College of Music who introduced me to film and media composition: Alison Plante, Claudio Ragazzi, and Andreas Bjorck. And Joe Walsh, who instructed me on mandolin.

My pal and collaborator Mia Asano, who cofounded with me the Celtic band SilverTree and always brings the love and support.

Composers Mark Orton and Bear McCreary, who welcomed me into the professional world of film scoring and gave me my first professional projects.

Nomi Abadi, who launched the Female Composer Safety League (which supports and advocates for people identifying as female or non-binary who experience abuse, harassment, prejudice, and marginalization in the music-composing industry), introduced me to an amazing group of composers and musicians, and showed me what real advocacy looks like.

So, yeah: lots of people!

Website: https://stellakaplan.com

Instagram: @stellaokaplan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-kaplan-153b27178/

Twitter: @stellaokaplan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stella.kaplan.963

Youtube: @stellaokaplan

Image Credits
Susie Steele, Dan Kaplan