Scott Hoying

Scott Hoying has revolutionized modern a cappella, leading the charge as a co-founder of the Grammy-winning group Pentatonix. From viral YouTube sensations to global tours, his innovative artistry has redefined vocal music for a new generation. Yet, his creative journey extends far beyond the a cappella stage, revealing a multifaceted talent whose impact continues to grow. Scott Hoying co-founded Pentatonix, pioneering mainstream a cappella success through viral YouTube content and multiple Grammy-winning performances. He expanded his artistic reach with the successful comedy and music duo Superfruit and later launched a critically acclaimed solo music career. Hoying's diverse achievements span an Emmy Award for music direction and a best-selling children's book, reflecting a broad cultural influence beyond music.

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Scott Hoying has revolutionized modern a cappella, leading the charge as a co-founder of the Grammy-winning group Pentatonix. From viral YouTube sensations to global tours, his innovative artistry has redefined vocal music for a new generation. Yet, his creative journey extends far beyond the a cappella stage, revealing a multifaceted talent whose impact continues to grow.

Scott Hoying: The Voice Behind the Vision

Scott Hoying isn't just a singer; he's a vocal architect who helped build one of the most successful music groups of the 21st century. As the baritone and a co-founder of Pentatonix, he's redefined what a cappella can achieve, earning international acclaim and transforming vocal music for a modern audience.

Early Life and the Birth of a Trio

Born in Arlington, Texas, in 1991, Scott Richard Hoying's passion for music began early. He spent much of his high school years immersed in choir, where he forged a crucial musical bond with two fellow students: Kirstin Maldonado and Mitch Grassi.

This talented trio quickly formed an a cappella group, initially putting together a cover of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé's 'Telephone.' Their goal? To compete in a local radio contest for a chance to meet the cast of the hit TV show 'Glee.' Though they didn't win, this early collaboration sparked something special, and they continued to perform, building a local following.

The Pentatonix Phenomenon

After high school, Hoying briefly pursued popular music performance at the University of Southern California. It was there that he heard about 'The Sing-Off,' an NBC reality competition for a cappella groups. Suddenly, the genre that had been a hobby became a serious pursuit.

The show required groups to have five or more members, pushing the trio to expand. They recruited bass vocalist Avi Kaplan and beatboxer Kevin Olusola, forming the quintet that would become Pentatonix. Their unique blend of vocal talent and innovative arrangements quickly caught national attention, culminating in their victory on 'The Sing-Off' in 2011.

Despite winning a record deal, the road to success wasn't smooth. Their initial label dropped them, citing their 'niche' a cappella sound. But this setback became a turning point. The group saw an opportunity to connect directly with fans, relocating to Los Angeles and betting on the then-burgeoning power of YouTube.

This bold move paid off exponentially. Starting in late 2012, Pentatonix began uploading videos of their creative covers, quickly building an international fanbase. They also self-released EPs like 'PTX, Volume 1' and 'PTXmas,' laying the groundwork for their digital empire.

Their breakthrough moment arrived in November 2013 with a mesmerizing medley of Daft Punk songs. The video exploded, racking up ten million views in its first week alone. It eventually soared to over 150 million, and as of 2025, boasts more than 380 million views, solidifying their status as YouTube stars.

Pentatonix's digital presence remains staggering. By 2020, their YouTube channel commanded nearly 19 million subscribers and over three billion video views, growing to over 4.4 billion views by 2025. Their social media reach is equally impressive, with millions of followers across Instagram and Facebook.

Beyond the screen, the group became a global touring powerhouse, captivating audiences in over forty countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. They also made mainstream cameos in shows like 'Bones' and 'Pitch Perfect 2,' even starring in their own television special, 'A Pentatonix Christmas.'

Their innovative approach earned them three Grammy Awards: for their 'Daft Punk' medley (2015), their stunning version of Tchaikovsky's 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' (2016), and their collaboration with Dolly Parton on 'Jolene' (2017). They've released eleven albums, ten of which hit the Top Ten on the Billboard 200, selling over ten million units.

While renowned for their inventive covers, Pentatonix also pushed boundaries with original music. Their self-titled album in 2015 was entirely original compositions and marked a historic first: an a cappella group topping the Billboard 200 album chart. This landmark achievement was documented in their movie 'On My Way Home.'

Superfruit: A New Groove

In 2013, Scott Hoying joined forces with his longtime friend and bandmate Mitch Grassi to create Superfruit. This YouTube channel became a vibrant outlet for their shared love of comedy, music, and pop culture, showcasing a different, often whimsical, side of their creativity.

Superfruit proved to be another massive success story. Their channel garnered hundreds of millions of streams for songs like 'GUY.exe,' attracted 2.4 million YouTube subscribers, and accumulated over half a billion views, cementing their status as influential online entertainers.

Solo Artist: Unveiling Parallel

In 2023, Hoying embarked on a deeply personal solo journey with the release of his debut extended play, 'Parallel.' The lead single, 'Mars,' quickly resonated with audiences, generating millions of streams and earning him spots on national television programs like 'Today' and 'The Kelly Clarkson Show.' The Associated Press lauded it as his 'most personal music to date.'

His solo work continued to garner critical acclaim. In 2025, his heartfelt tribute to his husband, 'Rose Without The Thorns,' earned him his first solo Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella, an impressive achievement in his distinguished career.

A Life of Achievements and Family

Scott's talents extend beyond the stage and recording studio. In 2023, he received a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for his work on America's Youth Choir's rendition of 'Ragged Old Flag' at Super Bowl LVII. The following year, he co-authored the best-selling children's book 'How Lucky Am I?' with his husband, Mark Manio.

Scott and Mark's journey together began in 2017, leading to their engagement in the Bahamas in 2022 and a beautiful wedding in Santa Barbara, California, in 2023, officiated by singer-songwriter Christina Perri. In 2025, they joyfully announced they were expecting their first child via surrogacy.

Adding another facet to his public persona, Hoying joined the cast of 'Dancing with the Stars' for its thirty-fourth season in 2025. Partnered with professional dancer Rylee Arnold, he embraced the challenge of ballroom dancing, further showcasing his versatility and engaging with a new audience.

Article

Scott Hoying

Scott Hoying (born September 17, 1991) is an American singer, musician and songwriter who came to international attention as the baritone of the a cappella group Pentatonix. As of 2025, Pentatonix has released eleven albums (two of which have been number ones) and two EPs, have had four songs in the Billboard Hot 100, and won three Grammy Awards as "the first a cappella group to achieve mainstream success in the modern market".

Early life and education

Scott Hoying

Scott Richard Hoying was born in Arlington, Texas, to Connie and Rick Hoying. After graduating high school, he briefly attended the University of Southern California, where he studied popular music performance.

Pentatonix started as a trio, as Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kirstin Maldonado had been in choir for most of their time in high school. The three quickly put together an a cappella cover of "Telephone" by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé to compete in a local radio station contest to meet Glee cast members. They did not win but kept competing and performing, gaining popularity.

Hoying heard about The Sing-Off reality-show competition for a cappella acts; he gained an interest in the genre once in college. It was the first time the trio had embraced a cappella. The show required groups to have five or more members, so they recruited bass vocalist Avi Kaplan and singer/beat boxer Kevin Olusola. After they won, they all relocated to Los Angeles to pursue recording artist careers. The main goal of the group was to become the first modern mainstream a cappella group, which they have done.

Career

Pentatonix

Hoying performing with Pentatonix in 2014

Pentatonix is an a cappella collective and a quintet; most of their songs are covers and much of their success comes from touring, including internationally. They gained national attention in the U.S. competing on NBC's a cappella reality show The Sing-Off in 2011, which they won. The group got a record label, who dropped them as their audience was too niche—with no guarantee of selling albums, or concert tickets—but the group felt it was ultimately advantageous as around late 2012 Pentatonix started posting videos to YouTube building an international fan base. Pentatonix also released the debut EP, PTX, Volume 1, on their new label in June 2012, followed by a Christmas EP, PTXmas in November. They recorded covers of pop 40 hits like Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" (2011), Psy's "Gangnam Style" (2012), and Fun's "We Are Young" (2011). Their big video hit was a November 2013 video of a medley of Daft Punk songs. It had ten million views in the first week of its release and rose to over 150 million views; as of 2025 it has over 380 million views.

As of March 2015 they had 7.6 million YouTube subscribers. By October 2019 that number rose to seventeen million and in December 2020, 18.9 million; the channel has over three billion video views. As of February 2020, they had over 4.4 billion views; they also have 3.6 million followers on Instagram, and 5.1 million on Facebook.

They also tour extensively including across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America—over an estimated forty countries as of December 2016; and have had cameos in shows and movies like Bones and Pitch Perfect 2 (2015); and their own television show, A Pentatonix Christmas Special (2016).

As of June 2021, Pentatonix has released eleven albums, ten of which reached the Top Ten on the Billboard 200, all combined selling ten million albums—including two number one albums, and five of Christmas music—and have had four songs in the Billboard Hot 100, and won three Grammy Awards. Their three Grammy wins were for their: Daft Punk medley tribute to the French electronic music duo (2015); version of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" (2016); Jolene collaboration with Dolly Parton (2017). In addition to their regular tours, they use their extensive holiday music for Christmastime tours. Their That's Christmas to Me (2014) is the highest-charting Christmas album by a group of two or more since 1962.

The individual members find inspiration to cover recent songs, as well as international classics, then if they decide as a group it is a good match, they compose an arrangement; their friend Ben Bram, who is also their producer, is their co-arranger. Although they are known for their covers and re-arranged popular songs, the band released their first album, Pentatonix, in October 2015, and it was all original music; it also marked the first time an a cappella group had the top album on the Billboard 200 album chart. Their sold-out North American tour that year was documented in the movie, On My Way Home.

Superfruit

Hoying and Mitch Grassi (pictured in 2014) make up Superfruit.

In 2013, Hoying teamed up with Grassi in Superfruit. The comedy and music YouTube channel gathered half-a-billion views, attracted 2.4 million YouTube subscribers, and garnered hundreds of millions of streams across songs like "GUY.exe."

Solo music

In 2023 Hoying released his solo debut extended play, Parallel. The lead single "Mars" was released July 2023 generated millions of streams across platforms. He delivered a performance of the title track on Today and "Mars" on the Kelly Clarkson Show. The Associated Press hailed the EP as "his most personal music to date." In 2025, Hoying's song "Rose Without The Thorns", a tribute to his husband Mark, earned him his first solo nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Achievements

In 2023, Hoying received a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction as a co-music director for America's Youth Choir rendition of "Ragged Old Flag" at Super Bowl LVII. In 2024, Hoying and his husband Mark published a children's book entitled How Lucky Am I?, landing on USA Today's best-selling booklist.

Dancing with the Stars

On September 3, 2025, Hoying was announced as a participant of the thirty-fourth season of the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with professional dancer Rylee Arnold. They were eliminated during the sixth week of competition on October 21, finishing in tenth place.

Personal life

Scott Hoying

Hoying is gay. He began dating model Mark Manio in 2017. They got engaged in the Bahamas on April 13, 2022, and were married in Santa Barbara, California, on July 7, 2023. Their wedding was officiated by singer-songwriter Christina Perri. On October 14, 2025, during Dedication Night on Dancing with the Stars, Hoying and Manio announced that they were expecting their first child via surrogacy. Their daughter, Birdie James Hoying, was born on June 3, 2026.

Discography

Studio albums

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><th>Parallel</th><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Singles

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>"Mars"</td><td>2022</td><td rowspan="4">Parallel</td></tr><tr><td>"Parallel"</td><td rowspan="3">2023</td></tr><tr><td>"Four"</td></tr><tr><td>"Extraordinary"</td></tr><tr><td>"Flaunt It"</td><td rowspan="3">2024</td><td rowspan="5">Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Mad About You"</td></tr><tr><td>"Rose Without the Thorns"</td></tr><tr><td>"Pray"</td><td rowspan="2">2025</td></tr><tr><td>"Great Rainbow"</td></tr></tbody></table>

Features

<table><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Year</th><th>Artist</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>"All for Me" (featuring Scott Hoying)</td><td>2017</td><td>Hoodie Allen</td><td>The Hype</td></tr><tr><td>"Ghost" (Frankie & Scott Hoying)</td><td rowspan="3">2018</td><td>Frankie</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Lose Us" (featuring Scott Hoying)</td><td>Rozzi</td><td>Bad Together</td></tr><tr><td>"All to Me" (featuring Scott Hoying)</td><td>Shoshana Bean</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Sensitive" (featuring Scott Hoying)</td><td>2022</td><td>Meghan Trainor</td><td>Takin' It Back</td></tr><tr><td>"Come Alive" (featuring Scott Hoying)</td><td>2024</td><td>Loren Allred</td><td>The Showman Sessions</td></tr><tr><td>"Baby Names" (featuring Scott Hoying)</td><td rowspan="2">2025</td><td>Julia Harriman</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr><tr><td>"Rainmaker"</td><td>Janani K. Jha</td><td>Non-album single</td></tr></tbody></table>

Songwriting and production credits

Scott Hoying

All credits are adapted from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers's database.

Filmography

Television

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2016</td><td>Bones</td><td>Ted Gibbs</td><td>Guest Cast (The Strike in the Chord; Season 11 Ep.16)</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Centaurworld</td><td>Mouthpiece</td><td>2 seasons</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>High School Musical: The Musical: The Series</td><td>Scott</td><td>Guest cast (Season 4)</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Dancing with the Stars</td><td>Contestant</td><td>Season 34</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2015</td><td>Pitch Perfect 2</td><td>Team Canada</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Meet Me Next Christmas</td><td>Scott</td></tr></tbody></table>

Awards and nominations

Scott Hoying

<table><thead><tr><th>Awards</th><th>Year</th><th>Category</th><th>Work</th><th>Result</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2">Billboard Music Awards</td><td rowspan="2">2015</td><td>Top Billboard 200 Album</td><td>That's Christmas to Me</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Top Billboard 200 Artist</td><td>Pentatonix</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">Daytime Emmy Awards</td><td>2017</td><td>Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program</td><td>"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" on Rachael Ray</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Outstanding Original Song</td><td>"Cabana Boy Troy" on The Kelly Clarkson Show</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="6">Grammy Awards</td><td>2015</td><td rowspan="2">Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella</td><td>"Daft Punk"</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Best Country Duo/Group Performance</td><td>"Jolene" (ft. Dolly Parton)</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td rowspan="2">Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album</td><td>Evergreen</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Holidays Around the World</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella</td><td>"Rose Without the Thorns"</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>IHeartRadio Music Awards</td><td>2016</td><td>Best Cover Song</td><td>"Cheerleader"</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards</td><td>2016</td><td rowspan="2">Favorite Music Group</td><td rowspan="3">Pentatonix</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Shorty Awards</td><td>2015</td><td>Best YouTube Musician</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sports Emmy Awards</td><td>2023</td><td>Outstanding Music Direction</td><td>Super Bowl LVII: "Ragged Old Flag: An American Chorus"</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">Streamy Awards</td><td rowspan="3">2014</td><td>Best Cover Song</td><td>"Daft Punk"</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Best Original Song</td><td>"Love Again"</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Best Musical Artist</td><td>Pentatonix</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">2015</td><td>Best Collaboration</td><td>Pentatonix and Lindsey Stirling</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Best Cover Song</td><td>"Evolution of Michael Jackson"</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tony Awards</td><td>2026</td><td>Best Musical</td><td>Titanique as Co-producer</td><td>Pending</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">YouTube Music Awards</td><td>2013</td><td>Response of the Year</td><td>"Radioactive" (with Lindsey Stirling)</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td>Artist of the Year</td><td>Pentatonix</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Webby Awards</td><td>2016</td><td>Video Remixes/Mashups</td><td>Evolution of Michael Jackson</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>World Choreography Awards</td><td>2017</td><td>Best Choreography in a Music Video</td><td>Sweet Life</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>