Avi Kaplan

Avriel Benjamin Kaplan, born on April 17, 1989, in Visalia, California, developed an early passion for folk music, influenced by artists like Simon & Garfunkel and John Denver. Before his mainstream success, he attended Mt. San Antonio College, where he studied opera and choral studies, participating in the all-male a cappella group Fermata Nowhere and the vocal jazz ensemble Singcopation. In 2009, Fermata Nowhere won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA), where Kaplan earned the “Best Rhythm Section” award, specifically for vocal bass, a first for that category. His early exposure to diverse vocal styles and competitive a cappella laid the groundwork for his future career.

In 2011, Kaplan joined Pentatonix, where he served as the group’s vocal bass. The group quickly gained recognition after winning the third season of “The Sing-Off.” During his tenure with Pentatonix, the group released five studio albums and earned three Grammy Awards. These awards included “Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella” for their Daft Punk medley in 2015 and “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” in 2016, followed by “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” in 2017 for their collaboration with Dolly Parton on “Jolene.” Kaplan’s distinctive vocal range and stage presence were integral to the group’s unique sound and global appeal.

Kaplan announced his departure from Pentatonix in May 2017 to pursue solo work and focus on his folk music roots, citing the demanding group schedule. He released his debut solo EP, “Sage and Stone,” under the name Avriel & the Sequoias in June 2017. Following this, he signed with Fantasy Records and released his second EP, “I’ll Get By,” in February 2020. His debut studio album, “Floating on a Dream,” produced by Shooter Jennings, was released in May 2022, further solidifying his presence as a solo artist. He has also undertaken several tours, including “The Otherside Tour” (2019) and the “Floating on a Dream Tour” (2022). In April 2025, he formed the “Oregon Forest Choir” for a performance during his “Move Our Souls” EP tour, demonstrating his continued exploration of vocal arrangements.