The current Pentatonix lineup features five vocalists who have redefined modern a cappella music: Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee. Formed in Arlington, Texas, in 2011 ahead of winning season three of NBC's The Sing-Off, the group has evolved from a local trio into a multi-Grammy-winning global phenomenon. While the core founding trio grew up singing together, subsequent lineup shifts—most notably the transition from original bass Avi Kaplan to Matt Sallee—helped shape the dynamic ensemble performing today.
Understanding who makes up the group requires looking past basic bios into how their individual vocal ranges, arrangements, and instrumental styles fit together. Each member brings a distinct sonic layer that explains how they produce rich, full-band textures without using actual instruments.
The Core Lineup of Pentatonix
The current roster balances long-standing creative partnerships with seamless contemporary additions. Here's a detailed breakdown of the five artists currently carrying the Pentatonix sound.
Scott Hoying
As a baritone vocalist and one of the primary co-founders, Scott Hoying acts as a central anchor for the group. Growing up in Arlington, Texas, he spearheaded the original trio alongside Mitch Grassi and Kirstin Maldonado before auditioning for The Sing-Off. Hoying often handles lead and prominent backing baritone harmonies, and his energetic stage presence drives many of their live concert performances. Beyond his work in the quintet, he maintains a prolific solo and songwriting profile, collaborating across various pop and holiday projects. To see the complete picture, we recommend the excellent article by The New York Times.
Mitch Grassi
Possessing a famously soaring countertenor and tenor range, Mitch Grassi often handles the intricate, high-flying lead vocals that define the group's most recognizable covers. His distinctive vocal agility allows him to sit comfortably in soprano and alto territory, pushing the boundaries of what a male voice can achieve in a cappella arrangements. Grassi also performs and releases music under the solo moniker Superfruit alongside Hoying, exploring hyperpop and electronic-leaning sonic spaces.
Kirstin Maldonado
As the resident female powerhouse of the ensemble, Kirstin Maldonado delivers rich mezzo-soprano and soprano leads as well as crucial harmonic scaffolding. Her background in musical theatre training shows in her precise pitch control and emotive delivery on tracks ranging from complex pop arrangements to cinematic balladry. Maldonado has also stepped outside the group to release independent solo projects and perform in theatrical productions, proving her versatility across different sectors of the entertainment industry.
Kevin Olusola
Kevin Olusola brought a revolutionary element to the group's texture through "celloboxing"—the simultaneous playing of the cello and beatboxing. Recruited shortly after the original trio decided to expand into a five-piece for The Sing-Off, Olusola's unique percussion foundation replaces a traditional drum kit. His rhythmic precision anchors the group's tempo, while his classical training introduces unique melodic counter-lines that elevate their arrangements beyond standard vocal covers. You can learn more about his background through official artist profiles on platforms like Consequence.
Matt Sallee
Matt Sallee joined the group in 2017 following the departure of original bass Avi Kaplan. Hailing from Baltimore with a deep background in gospel and choral music, Sallee stepped into the daunting role of providing the deep vocal foundation. His rich, resonant bass tones matched the group's evolving pop direction seamlessly, and he quickly established himself as an integral part of both their studio albums and touring setlists.
Evolution of the Group and Lineup Changes
Pentatonix didn't reach its current iteration without adjustments. In the early days of their national breakout, the lineup consisted of Hoying, Grassi, Maldonado, Olusola, and original bass Avi Kaplan.
Kaplan's deep, resonant sub-bass was a signature component of their early viral hits like their genre-defining Daft Punk Medley. However, the grueling pace of global tours took a personal toll. In 2017, Kaplan announced his departure from the group, citing an inability to keep up with the relentless travel schedule without burning out.
Rather than disband, the remaining four members held open auditions to find a replacement. Matt Sallee stood out immediately, blending classic gospel training with the contemporary pop sensibilities required for the group's trajectory. The transition proved successful, allowing the ensemble to maintain their signature sound while expanding into new theatrical and seasonal production styles.
How Pentatonix Arranges and Produces Music
The group's creative process relies heavily on collaborative democratic arrangement. Usually, one or more members—frequently Hoying or Grassi—will draft a structural blueprint of a cover or original song. They map out who carries the melody, who handles the inner harmony blocks, where Olusola drops percussion, and how Sallee anchors the chord progressions.
Unlike traditional choral groups that rely on sheet music alone, Pentatonix builds tracks iteratively in rehearsal studios and recording booths. They test vocal blend, vowel modifications to match tone quality, and dynamic swells before tracking individual vocal parts. This meticulous attention to detail is why their recordings often sound like fully produced studio pop tracks complete with synthesized effects, even though every single sound wave originates from human vocal cords or Olusola's cello.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the original bass singer for Pentatonix?
The original bass singer was Avi Kaplan, who performed with the group from their formation in 2011 until his departure in 2017. Matt Sallee has filled the bass role since then.
Are all five current members founding members?
No. Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kirstin Maldonado are the three original founding members from high school. Kevin Olusola joined right before their Sing-Off audition, and Matt Sallee joined later in 2017.
Do the members of Pentatonix write original music?
Yes. While they gained international fame through inventive pop covers and holiday albums, they have released multiple albums of original music, including their self-titled studio album and original holiday tracks.
How do they create drum sounds without instruments?
Kevin Olusola provides vocal percussion (beatboxing) alongside his cello playing, while other members occasionally layer mouth clicks, breath sounds, and vocal fries to build dense percussive loops.
