Pentatonix, a five-member a cappella sensation, rose to fame after clinching victory in “The Sing Off” Season 3.
Their success story is intertwined with the resurgence of a cappella music, propelled by popular TV shows and films like “Glee” and the “Pitch Perfect” series.
Interestingly, it was “Glee” that played a pivotal role in the group’s formation.
Their standout a cappella prowess was on full display during a 2022 live rendition of “Sound of Silence” at the Hollywood Bowl.

The group’s roots trace back to Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, where founding members Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, and Kirstie Maldonado first harmonized. Their journey began with a radio contest to meet “Glee” cast members, performing a striking rendition of the Gaga/Beyoncé hit “Telephone.” Though they didn’t win, this performance garnered significant local and online attention.
Scott’s enrollment at the University of Southern California marked a pivotal moment. Joining a campus a cappella group, he was encouraged to audition for “The Sing Off.” Seizing the opportunity, Scott brought Mitch and Kirstie on board, later adding Avi Kaplan and beatboxer Kevin Olusola, thus forming Pentatonix. Remarkably, the group only met in person on their audition day.
Scott, inspired by the five-note pentatonic scale, coined the name “Pentatonix,” symbolizing the group’s five-member structure. They dazzled on “The Sing Off,” alongside 15 other groups, and continued to enthrall audiences, notably with a YouTube performance of Michael Jackson’s hits that stands out as particularly memorable.