Lucy Caplan is a music historian whose work centers on the relationship between music, race, and culture in American life. She teaches courses on music and society, African American musical traditions, and cultural criticism. She is passionate about uncovering overlooked histories within the world of classical music and opera. Her research and teaching illuminate the contributions of Black composers and performers and the cultural movements that shaped their artistry. 

Caplan is the author of Dreaming in Ensemble: How Black Artists Transformed American Opera, a book that explores the Black operatic counterculture of the early 20th century. She is an expert on African American musical history, opera and musical theater, and the role of classical music in society. Her writing has been featured in outlets including The New Yorker.