Pentatonix is an a cappella group of five vocalists, Scott Hoying, Kirstie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola, originating from Arlington, Texas. The group won the third season of the musical competition The Sing-Off. They won the title broadcast on the finale on November 28, 2011 broadcast on NBC, singing a vocal "a capella" arrangement of "Eye of the Tiger" from Survivor. They won $200,000 and a contract with Sony.[1][2]
Pentatonix, began with three friends Kirstie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas. Hearing of a local radio show hosting a competition to meet the cast of Glee, they arranged a trio version of "Telephone" and sent it in. Although they did not end up winning the competition, it sparked attention around their school. The group began performing around school. After their version of "Telephone" gained attention on YouTube, they continued to perform. With The Sing-Off auditions announced for season three, they added two more performers, Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola and renamed the group "Pentatonix". They made their audition and eventually went on to win the title for 2011 (season 3). Pentatonix put their own dance/upbeat spin on music. The group derives its influences from pop, dubstep, electro, and hip-hop.
Pentatonix made the following performances. Note that they did not perform in Episodes 1 and 3:[3]