Who Made Up the First Pentatonix Lineup
The original members of Pentatonix are Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Kevin Olusola, and Avi Kaplan. This quintet formed in 2011 after an open online audition arranged by their manager, Ben Fagan. Hoying provided baritone and leadership, Maldonado and Grassi sang lead and tenor, Olusola contributed beatbox and tenor vocals, and Kaplan handled bass and vocal arrangements. Their a cappella arrangement of Radiohead’s "Creep" in 2011 quickly went viral, establishing the group’s signature sound. Below is a verified snapshot of each founding member’s role, background, and contribution to the group’s early identity.
Members and Their Roles in the Founding Lineup
| Member | Role in Original Lineup | Verified Background Note |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Hoying | Baritone, co-lead, arranger | Longtime friend of Grassi and Maldonado; collegiate a cappella experience |
| Kirstin Maldonado | Lead soprano | Met Grassi and Hoying through online a cappella communities |
| Mitch Grassi | Countertenor/tenor | Previously performed in a church choir; distinctive high voice |
| Kevin Olusola | Beatbox, tenor, vocal percussion | Classically trained cellist who added beatboxing to the group’s texture |
| Avi Kaplan | Bass, vocal arranger | Bass singer with jazz and pop influences; left in 2017 |
How the Original Pentatonix Lineup Came Together
The group formed in June 2011 when manager Ben Fagan invited five a cappella enthusiasts to audition online. Hoying, Maldonado, and Grassi already performed together regionally; Olusola joined as a classically trained cellist who beatboxed; Kaplan completed the bass role. Their winning arrangement of "Creep" in September 2011 launched their YouTube channel and defined the vocal blend that carried through their first albums. Each member brought complementary skills: tight harmonies, rhythmic ingenuity, and genre-spanning arrangements that made a cappella mainstream again.
Key Contributions of the Founding Five
- Scott Hoying: Musical direction, baritone harmonies, and leadership; background in collegiate groups like SoCal VoCals
- Kirstin Maldonado: Bright soprano lead and lyrical clarity; studied at University of North Texas
- Mitch Grassi: High tenor and countertenor; meticulous tuning and arranging
- Kevin Olusola: Beatbox foundations and percussive vocals; cello expertise adding classical depth
- Avi Kaplan: Richer bass tones and vocal arranging; jazz and pop influences that shaped early repertoire
Notable Early Milestones for the Original Lineup
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| September 2011 | Viral "Creep" cover | Established the group’s identity and drew millions of views |
| 2012 | Appeared on The Sing-Off season 3 | Finished third, raising national profile |
| 2013 | EP 3 extended play and later Pentatonix album | Signed to RCA Records; formalized the group as a professional act |
| 2014 | Release of PTX, Vols. 1 & 2 | Maintained the original vocal blend while expanding repertoire |
| 2017 | Avi Kaplan departed | Shifted lineup to quartet, opening the door for new bass additions |
Musical Roles and Vocal Arrangements in Early Years
In the original lineup, vocal responsibilities were distributed to maximize each singer's range and strengths. Hoying often sang baritone or arranged parts, Maldonado carried high harmonies and lead melodies, and Grassi provided countertenor color. Olusola’s beatboxing gave the group percussive texture, while Kaplan anchored songs with bass lines and internal vocal arrangements. This balance allowed Pentatonix to recreate complex songs a cappella with precision and dynamics that rivaled full bands.
Changes After the Founding Era
In 2017, Avi Kaplan left the group, transitioning Pentatonix to a quartet. They later added Matt Sallee as bass, maintaining five-part harmony while evolving their sound. Despite lineup shifts, the original five remain the group's foundation: the moment the initial blend clicked, the viral breakthrough, and the decisions that turned an online experiment into a sustained, award-winning act. Understanding the original members of Pentatonix clarifies how their chemistry and complementary skills set the course for everything that followed.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Original Lineup
- How many people were in the original Pentatonix? Five: Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Kevin Olusola, and Avi Kaplan.
- Who were the original members of Pentatonix by name and role? Scott Hoying (baritone), Kirstin Maldonado (soprano), Mitch Grassi (tenor), Kevin Olusola (beatbox/tenor), and Avi Kaplan (bass).
- Did the original Pentatonix lineup ever perform together after 2017? Yes, the full quintet has reunited for special performances and recordings post-2017, though the group continued as a quartet with new bassist Matt Sallee.
- Who managed the group when it formed? Ben Fagan coordinated the online audition and early career guidance that shaped the original lineup.
Summary: The Core Pentatonix Quintet
The original members of Pentatonix—Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Kevin Olusola, and Avi Kaplan—came together through an online audition in 2011. Their viral "Creep" cover defined the group’s blend, and each founding member contributed distinct vocal colors and musical skills. Though Avi Kaplan later departed, the initial five set the group's trajectory, balancing baritone, lead, tenor, vocal percussion, and bass to create a durable, recognizable a cappella brand.