Kevin Oluwole Olusola (born October 5, 1988, in Pasadena, California) grew up in a richly musical household. His Nigerian father drove excellence and regularly asked, “When will you start medical school?”, even after Kevin won Grammys with Pentatonix. His parents recognized his musical gifts at six months and enrolled him in piano lessons. He began piano at age 4, cello at 6, and alto saxophone by age 10, a foundation that shaped his creative journey.
Kevin Olusola Education and Early Career
Kevin immersed himself in music throughout his childhood in Owensboro, Kentucky, playing jazz band, marching band, orchestra, concert band, and community youth orchestra. At 12, he became principal saxophonist of the United States Collegiate Wind Band, touring Europe that summer. He served as principal cellist in the Kentucky State Youth Orchestra and earned top honors at the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. He performed at Carnegie Hall twice: once in a piano trio and again in PBS’s From the Top.
At Yale University, he became one of the principal cellists in the Yale Symphony Orchestra and participated actively in chamber music.
Kevin Olusola Major Life Events
During a summer in Beijing, one of Kevin’s teachers suggested he fuse cello and beatboxing. He followed the advice, developed celloboxing, and earned runner-up honors in Yo-Yo Ma’s “Celebrate and Collaborate” competition, drawing praise for his “inventive and unexpected” rendition of Dona Nobis Pacem. His pre-med mentor at Yale encouraged him to pursue music full-time. That decision led him to hone his craft in Beijing through YouTube videos and performances, including one at the American Pavilion during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
Kevin Olusola Professional Achievements
Kevin posted “Julie‑O” celloboxing to YouTube in April 2011, and it went viral after debuting on Reddit. Pentatonix founder Scott Hoying discovered him, and Kevin joined the group two days before their Sing‑Off audition. They won the contest and a $200,000 prize, later moving to Los Angeles. With Kevin’s help, Pentatonix released multiple bestselling EPs and albums, including PTX, Vol. I and PTXmas, and won three GRAMMY awards between 2015 and 2017. Kevin has toured globally, performed at TED and Montreux Jazz, and continues solo work,his 2015 Renegade EP hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical Albums and iTunes Classical chart.
In 2025, he released his new single “Hallelujah (I Don’t Think About You)”, including a live version recorded at Howard University. His song inspired a viral feature by Nollywood star Funke Akindele, leading to a heartfelt interview where they discussed his artistry’s resonance across cultures.
Kevin Olusola Personal Life
Kevin married scholar-musician Leigh Weissman Olusola in September 2019. Together they parent two young children. Kevin honors his Nigerian roots, balancing his father’s academic aspirations with his own creative path. Every award and song he shares reminds him and his family of the value of following one’s passion with purpose.
Kevin Olusola Legacy and Impact
Kevin revolutionized the music world by creating celloboxing, blending classical training and vocal percussion. He embraced expectations and criticism particularly from his father and charted a unique path combining scholarship and artistry. He continues to inspire young musicians to break molds and pursue holistic excellence. His new single and cross-cultural collaborations remind the world that creative fusion if pursued courageously can bridge worlds.
Conclusion
Kevin Olusola lives to show that discipline can harmonize with creativity, and courage can co-author success. F rom pioneering celloboxing to achieving global fame with Pentatonix and releasing heartfelt solo music, he reminds us that integrity, humility, and innovation shape enduring legacies. Through every beat, cello riff, and interview, he honors his journey, inviting others to harmonize passion and purpose in their own lives.
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