Laurence Kaptain is a cimbalom artist, percussionist, marimba researcher, and educator. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in percussion performance from the University of Michigan in 1987, a Master of Music from the University of Miami, and a Bachelor of Science in performance and music education from Ball State University. As of January 2026, he is Professor of Music and Entertainment Studies and former Dean of the College of Arts & Media at the University of Colorado Denver.
After receiving a grant to study cimbalom in Budapest, Kaptain performed with ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also performed on the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra recording Shadow Dances—Stravinsky Miniatures, which won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.
Kaptain’s work includes marimba performance and research in Mexico and Central America. A 1985 Ball State University program documented him as a marimba soloist who had studied with Fernando Morales Matus in Guatemala. His Fulbright research in Mexico led to publications and recordings on the marimba tradition of Chiapas, including the 1992 book The Wood That Sings: The Marimba in Chiapas, Mexico. He served as music director for the Marimba Yajalón recordings ¡Chiapas! (1994) and Echoes of Chiapas (1997).