While our performances often feature polished performances of the classics, there’s a lot of jamming and fun going on behind the scenes.
For today’s Daily Joy we’re showing you one of those jam sessions! Here is our alum, Kevin Olusola, alongside violinist Kate Arndt.
Owensboro, KY Kevin Olusola is best known as the beat boxer of the a cappella quintet Pentatonix. The three-time Grammy® Award-winning and multi-Platinum-selling group has sold more than 10 million albums and performed for fans at their sold-out shows across the globe. Their YouTube channel boasts 19 million subscribers and yields over 5.1 billion video views.
Kevin has performed at Carnegie Hall twice as a soloist on the cello and saxophone and has appeared on NPR’s From The Top. On March 10th 2015, Kevin released his first solo album, The Renegade EP, courtesy of RCA Records. The album debuted #1 on Billboard Traditional Classical and Classical Crossover charts, in addition to staying #1 on iTunes classical albums for weeks as it featured classically reimagined versions of popular songs like “All of Me,” and “Stay With Me,” as well as Kevin’s original composition “Renegade.” In 2020, Kevin released the “Don’t Let Me Misunderstood” EP which included his covers of “Time in A Bottle” (remixed by 5&Dime) and “True Colors” via RCA Records.
Kevin’s history with From the Top
Kevin Olusola appeared on NPR’s From the Top, Show 144, recorded in May 2006, at age 17.He was featured in From the Top videos: Beatboxing Bach with pianist Kadar Qian, and “Sugar” with violinist Kate Arndt.
He currently serves on From the Top’s Board of Directors.
Visit his website.
Katie Arndt appeared on Show 267, recorded in February 2013. She also recently interviewed fellow From the Top alum and Grammy-winner Kevin Olusola. Check out the video here. In October 2015, she will perform on Show 313.
Show 313 bio:
The Isolde Quartet is based at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston, Massachusetts. Its members include 18-year-old violinist Kate Arndt from the Boston area, who first appeared on From the Top Show 267 in 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts; 16-year-old violinist Tristan Flores from Lexington, Massachusetts, who first appeared on From the Top Show 285 in 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts; 16-year-old cellist Zlatomir Fung from Westborough, Massachusetts, who first appeared on From the Top Show 283 in 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts; and violist Gerald Karni from Lausanne, Switzerland. In 2015, the ensemble received an honorable mention at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Music has the unique ability to bring joy to our lives – especially in the hands of young people. Daily Joy is a reminder of music’s power to uplift, inspire, and unite.
Daily Joy is a project of From the Top. It began in the very early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues today to offer a much-needed respite from the anxiety and worry that we encounter in the world.
From the Top is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the stories and artistry of young musicians through media and leadership programs. Learn more.
From the Top is grateful to the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation for their generous support of Daily Joy.
Have questions? Email us at info@fromthetop.org.
HELP US SPREAD JOY!
We started Daily Joy as a reminder that music has the power to lift our spirits and make us smile.
We need your help to keep the joy coming! Make a tax-deductible donation today to support our work and help us spread joy!
Daily Joy is a program of From the Top, an independent non-profit organization that relies on support from individuals. Your support will help ensure From the Top's work of celebrating the joy, talents, and stories of extraordinary young musicians.