Music Teacher Reacts: KEVIN OLUSOLA - Down

[@mariethemagnificent2000]

Kevin had just graduated Yale and was accepted to their Medical School when Scott called him after seeing him cello boxing . He is fluent in several languages including Mandarin. He had planned on being a medical missionary. Prior to PTX, he played Carnegie Hall twice. Once on the sax and once with the cello. He came in second in a Yo Yo Ma cello competition. He never knew he could sing until Avi and Mitch started giving him lessons. He is incredible. Loved watching you light up at his sheer skill and talent.

[@janetranslates]

"Loved watching you light up." I came here to the comments to write everything you wrote, Marie Bellamy. And what a great reaction! So wonderful to watch an obviously knowledgeable reactor discovering how indescribably miraculous Mr. Kevin Olusola is.

[@valeriemorales7893]

He also has perfect pitch :)

[@mulan2217]

Hi Marie, I’m intrigued by your comment. Where did you get the info that Avi and Mitch giving him singing lessons? I like to read all I can about them. Please give me the link. Thank you.

[@mariethemagnificent2000]

@@mulan2217 I don’t have a link. I know I watched Kevin talk about he didn’t even know he could sing when he joined PTX and that Avi and Mitch helped his voice develop. He and Avi were roommates.

[@drieuxkoeppel8152]

@@mulan2217 Scott and Avi both said they worked with Kevin.

[@shellyadams371]

As a physician myself, Kevin would have been wasted on medical school. This level of genius needs to be shared across the world not hidden in his basement to share only with close friends and family. We need this kind of brilliance in our lives. Thank you, Kevin

[@williamroop451]

I like to believe that Kevin has a huge wall in his house - a dartboard labeled "What do I want to master today?" .... And this happened. Next: learn to leap over tall buildings.

[@Spartan_777]

And he throws that dart 4x/day.

[@someonefromcanada2668]

@@Spartan_777 lol

[@cbdcdiva6872]

Kevin Olusola = Miles Morales. Into the K.O. Verse. Just sayinnnnn

[@hippomom4]

Lol. So true

[@rosedouglas9586]

I love how your eyes lit up when he started to play the cello/guitar... He is one in a billion!

[@super_siri]

It's an electric cello so he can change the tone from "normal" cello to actually electric, but it's still definitely a cello. He's doing things it would be harder to do on a guitar.

[@ryanlesniak4756]

1 in 7.9 billion

[@pamscarr8696]

He and Avi were roomies on the road and at an apartment in LA. Kevin had never done anything with his voice so Avi became his vocal instructor. Avi was just days from joining an opera house in LA when Scott Hoying found him.

[@drieuxkoeppel8152]

He speaks fluent Chinese. And at the time of PTX’s audition to ‘The Sing-Off’, he was headed to medical school. He chose PTX instead!

[@st4rpt_603]

and in Yale, I believe!

[@colinpovey2904]

Smart move. If Pentatonix worked out, he was in, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime shot at a musical career. If not, starting med school one year late was not big deal.

[@MichelleParssinen]

“Rewind is invented just for moments like this” 😭 so freaking precious. Love your reactions! ❤️

[@rebeccafrost7731]

What's even more amazing is that this was all done in a one take. Lol. Sure, he may have had to start over, though I'm certain the number of times he had to start over were limited, but it's all one continuous shot. You see everything he's putting into the performance. This man is a real treasure, for sure. Love your reaction, couldn't wait to see your face when Kevin started the cello part of the song, and you didn't disappoint. Great video.

[@joebarnhart4460]

It's SO HARD to shred the cello like that because the instrument is FRETLESS. He has to maintain perfect pitch as he shreds his solos. He's incredible.

[@ellencutter1645]

I want to see a collab with Kevin and Two Cellos SO BADLY!

[@kriztee]

I really enjoyed watching you enjoy that. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@gailseatonhumbert9199]

Okay. This Kevin background is out of a couple of newspaper articles. Avi and Kevin became roommates when Pentatonix first formed. They formed the rythmn portion of Pentatonix and worked alot on that Avi got to the point according Kevin that he could tell when he needed to take over so Kevin could take a breath, but Avi also taught him to sing. Avi had majored in 2 areas in college before he got into Pentatonix, as an opera singer and a choral director. You can hear him (Avi) do similar placement and breathing techniques in Change On the Rise. The 2 of them are totally unreal as both musicians and composers. Kevin Olusola, Pentatonix’s beatboxer, is a Yale graduate (pre-med). He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, loves classical music, and plays piano, cello, and saxophone. He had performed at Carnegie Hall twice as soloist on the cello and saxophone and has appeared on NPR’s “From The Top.” In 2009, he won second place in an international cello competition hosted by Yo-Yo Ma. In 2011, his “Julie-O” KZbin video was featured by CBS, AOL, Huffington Post and the Washington Post, among others. He was named one of 100 “History Makers in the Making” by TheGrio and was chosen by Quincy Jones to represent him in concert at the 2012 Montreux Jazz Festival alongside Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea.

[@davidphillips4476]

KO one sickly talented dude!!!!!!wow!..That smile at the end...ya he knows..didn't know you could shred a cello like that...Alien....Now I think they exist!! Dug the reaction!! Yes..Kickin names and taking ...wait reverse that....and watch it go..and I'm out.

[@Cameron5043]

I see the Guardians of the Galaxy there buddy...😂

[@corvus1374]

I love his smile at the end. He knows he did good.

[@joanbaillie9925]

I still haven’t found a better reaction video than this!

[@ritathomas5167]

Been waiting for you to react to this one! I think we all knew you'd be blown away! Also please react to Kevin's own creation, "Renegade" - to round out an excellent view of his talent! Great reaction!!

[@berlyn3014]

YES!

[@mariebrady8475]

If you type in Kevin Olusola live at Carnegie Hall, you’ll see a video of him playing Saxophone, being honored with some other kids with high achievements… I believe it was 2005 and he was 17… He’s also fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

[@Karen-Campos]

Post KO, eh? Love it! Your smile tells all! ALWAYS trust a Pentaholic! We know our band! I’d recommend next his cover of Sign of the Times!

[@Yagirlkenzie05]

Kevin is incredible, it really makes me ask myself what can this man NOT do?

[@ellatadros]

NOTHING. Kevin is a freaking LEGEND.

[@spectrum4524]

Fail. Failing is the one thing he can't do.

[@shirleyfisher8313]

Love to watch his face when he plays......

[@tiffymcconkey]

He is absolutely phenomenal

[@danielcarter837]

I read a comment one time that said he makes overachievers look like slackers. Can't disagree. I mean this fairly seriously, if he takes up painting or sculpting he could be this millennium's DaVinci.

[@kellyjene77]

You keep thinking it can't possibly get better. Wrong. Again. Such a gifted human. Wow.

[@Jskew]

I have to say as a string player myself, one thing Kevin always impresses me with (no one else probably sees it) this man's double bowing technique is flawless. It is bowing two strings at the same time to make multiple notes. It is f'n difficult and take tons of practice. He does it flawlessly. Much love and keep on keepin on J.

[@bluefamily3937]

Kevin can shred on a cello!! Woww

[@carmengibson]

Who knew Cello solos were a thing?!?! Right?!?!?! Love everything about this!!!!

[@badtyers]

"Just walk away and be awesome" - sums it up nicely!

[@jennyfield266]

Watch his KOver of All of Me... Stunning! 😍🤗

[@bethcoussou]

I was absolutely blown away the first time I watched Kevin’s video of “Down”! I knew he was an amazing beatboxer and cellist, but I never really heard him sing much with PTX. I love his voice! His tone is like butter! His diction is top notch! Everything about this video is mind blowing! I really loved your reaction! It’s so cool to see people who are musicians, vocalists, or vocal trainers react to this type of talent!

[@avionterria7855]

He played cello and sax at Carnegie Hall as a teen, on separate occasions. Prodigy to Genius

[@irishangel5689]

The next KO to do, Renegade. And yes to everyone, check out Apocalyptica. I love them.

[@juliestevens6931]

I love Apocalyptica. That's probably why I loved Kevin's cover of Down so much.

[@foxdvd]

You should check out Kevin's IG. He posts tiny bits and pieces and invites other artists to jam with him and then reacts to the collabs. Some really awesome stuff!

[@sarahritacco1765]

Love your reaction! You should react to Scott's channel (of Pentatonix), Scott Hoying - his (Red) cover of I Should Tell Ya Momma On You And Pentatonix - Aha! At The Star Vista performance - fan recorded video, but pretty awesome quality, All I have to say is Mitch slays it here. And Superfruit (Scott and Mitch's side channel) Defying Gravity - a little silly, but also amazing

[@mariawilliams4941]

I’m not musical I like what I like and I love this! Totally in awe of Kevin’s talent. The reaction was sooo good, the look of joy, enhanced the experience

[@MelaniePoparad]

I love when guitar players watch this video. Their faces are just so amazed that he is making that sound with a freaking cello! And he looks so natural in that studio. The smirk as the screen went black is the most adorable part. He just crushed it and he knew it! Great reaction!

[@kaseycurtis468]

Yes!!! The reaction I’ve been waiting for!!! Watching your face throughout this whole video was priceless lol I really hoped that you would love this as much as we all do, Kevin is just insanely talented, it’s honestly mind blowing 😍 would love to see you react to his cover of ‘Sign of the Times’ I wasn’t much of a fan of the original but I absolutely love KO’s version. I’ve also been desperately hoping that you would react to PTX’s new song ‘Coffee in Bed’ it’s such a great song but Kevin is on another level in it. Thank you for another awesome reaction 😁

[@traceyanderson7489]

The smile at the end tells the story. This was just fun for him.

[@colinpovey2904]

There are a lot of people doing reactions today. You are one of the 2 or 3 best, because your reactions help educate me, as someone who knows nothing about music. Thank you.

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

What an amazing and kind thing to say. Thank you!

[@agriope2334]

Hi Janelle! This was super fun to watch you watch! I also loved your comment about how you resonate with Kevin's hand movements as a guitar player. The dancer in me feels the same about how he moves his body while plays! Much love to you!

[@anitaireland2731]

Look at the joy on his face . I love it .

[@philipem1000]

Virtuoso is the only word for that. I've not seen any musician not go wide-eyed at this video. No one is going to upstage Kevin Olusala. Well he topped himself in one video I saw. PTX was doing a TV performance in China, and the MC didn't have much English but was trying to talk to the band and then.... Kevin took over in perfect Mandarin. He blew the entire audience away of course. Did we mention he did a PreMed major at Yale I think, maybe it was Harvard...then an exchange year in China.

[@InstrucTube]

All of his covers. ALL OF THEM. Trust me, you will enjoy them all so so much. Even his worst one is epic. The best is absolutely reality altering.

[@erinhaney3175]

“Saves puppies from burning buildings” 😂😂 That is so definitely Kevin 😍😍

[@fletchmoose]

another good cello duo to check out is 2cellos,, they do some awesome rock covers on their cellos,, check out their ac/dc thunderstruck one for a starter

[@arjones0819]

Kevin never ceases to amaze me.

[@su63grad]

I love your reactions to all types of music .I wonder if you could react to Stan Rogers song Lies recorded about 1981. He had one ofthe richest baritone voices of that time. Thank you.

[@jenniferdoolittle6935]

No one watching this was annoyed. He is epic. Hands down KO is talented beyond explanation. Brilliant, hands down.

[@toon25121966]

Yesss...Kevin is sooooooo talented its absurd!! Hope to see more reviews of his music!

[@phumzilelongwe9609]

Kevin, talent creativity and gifted in one sentence

[@brandyanderson3522]

You should also check out his KOver of Sign of The Times

[@LisaMT1218]

I ALSO LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!

[@xiledpoisonh3idi315]

So glad you finally did this...been waiting forever to watch you geek out to it like we all have. TY!

[@Arachnia_Sea]

Great reaction, Kevin is epic, and thank you for the Apocalyptica plug. They are awesome as well.

[@sophsutherland3993]

Yes!!! Please also watch his cover of Sign of the Times!

[@pattis2641]

I've missed your reactions on PTX lately!! Can you please react to their new album THE LUCKY ONES, including Coffee in Bed and Never Gonna Smile. You enjoy Kevin? He is MAGICAL in the new album!!

[@irwingibson4768]

Seconded, thirded and fourthed.

[@josephstude5638]

i just saw this for the first time a couple weeks ago and was delighted to see you check it out and experience the same amount of joy I did with it. Cheers!

[@chrispavlich9656]

HE is massively talented!

[@jonathanconnor7401]

I appreciate this song more every time I hear it.

[@rayhutchinson640]

There aren't too many musicians whom I would call Maestro, but Kevin obviously qualifies with flying colors!!! How is he not world famous???

[@kayecastleman6353]

So great to watch you being blown away by Kevin. He is truly a master musician, and deserves your intelligent commentary. Happy to see you covering the PTX five again.

[@Lhun-ft6rl]

I was surprised the first time I heard Kevin from PTX sing too! He is AMAZING!!

[@eugenegrewing2587]

You know he studied Cello at Yale. Also Yo-Yo Ma is a fan if his. Also right not I'm kind of drunk. Cheers.

[@FayolaOnline]

He started playing cello when he was 6yo, but he went to Yale for pre-med.

[@Spartan_777]

@@FayolaOnline As I understand it, he was also first chair cello in the Yale orchestra

[@eugenegrewing2587]

@@FayolaOnline Right but he also studied Cello at Yale.

[@FayolaOnline]

@@Spartan_777 Correct, he was but he wasn't focused on musical studies. He was studying pre-med and Asian studies mainly.

[@boba.7108]

Kevin is awesome! Here's the video of him in Carnegie Hall at age 17 in 2005: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZiQiISiaL52jLs and then here he is doing Sign of the Times which [just my personal preference] I like better than Down: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnOpnZuCerpqq7c

[@markhaseley3304]

Exactly, they put that Captain America juice in him at one point, but they added honey, jalapenos, and some pepper and this is you got with him. Mind blowing multi- talented dude.

[@BelleDede01]

Thanks for doing a reaction to this one. I knew you'd like it. :)

[@filmproductions9962]

So great so see you being introduced to Kevin's Beyoncé, he brought her on tour for everyone to enjoy. (I'm talking about his cello obviously, this open one is Beyonce, and the second one he owns is named Mr Carter). It's so incredible how he is able to give voices to the instruments he plays. He did an interlude during tour called 'julie-o'. That one strikes something within you when you hear it live, great thing to experience.

[@jenniferjohnson824]

I have missed your ptx reactions. So glad you did this one Kevin is unbelievable. Would really live to are more ptx from you. I really enjoy your breakdown of the music and their new original album is great, especially the ones they haven't made videos for yet.

[@susilou68]

He is amazingly talented. I enjoyed seeing your pleasure! x

[@barbanderson905]

I love your reaction to this one. I really hope you check out some more of his solo stuff. KO is amazing. :D

[@jeannietaylor4968]

Sooooo happy your are dipping into Kevin's solo stuff. Your face was priceless all the way though. Great reaction, thank you :)

[@afn3899]

Yep, Mr. Amazing Guy

[@celrbrian]

He also plays sax!

[@gwendolynrector3323]

So glad you got to witness more of Kevin, he's awesome

[@MaethielTarias]

the whole time listening to this, I had Apocalyptica vibes.. my favourite memory of them. me standing in the crowd, they played this low but playful notes matching the wind that was going on, an the sunset in the background.. magical! ..and then, you recommended them. perfect!

[@concettasorvillo3719]

He's by far the most talented among PTX and, even of I love all PTX, he is the real column of the group. Such a talented man. Honestly, almost too much for a single person lol

[@hannah9419]

Ohhhh thank you so much for this reaction!! Hearing your take on music always makes me appreciate it even more👌🏻 I think you'd really enjoy Knorkator's style! Maybe 'Ich bin der Boss' or 'Ich hasse Musik'

[@jeanetteyorba198]

I watch a lot of you tube, and you "Music Teacher Reacts" are the best ,,,, your happiness at being pleasantly surprised so just shines through beautifully. Amazing to see you share ! Thank you !

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

Thank you for such kind words. I really appreciate how kind you are! ❤️

[@LisaMT1218]

Kevin is a virtuoso.

[@Midway_Midway]

I knew you would love this! I missed your PTX (& related) reactions so much!

[@ankhgirl3]

Kevin is a BEAST and saw Apocalyptica in concert!!! BOTH are AMAZING!!!

[@cailin1375]

Haven't watched this in a while and I forgot just how great it is. Thanks for reacting!

[@TheToscanaMan]

Thanks for doing this reaction. I have seen this performance by Kevin already and was BLOWN away. I knew he was good, but jeepers... incidentally 2Cellos (and I like them) ain't got nothing on Mr. Olusola haha 😋

[@jessicajones641]

I love Apocalyptica!!! And I love Kevin’s work!!! Down is my fav

[@brittanyvarengo9671]

So glad to See Kevin getting his own reaction video. He is AMAZING! It still blows my mind what he's capable of even though I've known for years. PLEASE react to more of his solo work! He truly deserves it.

[@sonamadinolf6096]

I was just going to suggest Apocalyptica... and then you mentioned them at the end. I love them so much. Particularly their rendition of In the Hall of the Mountain King.

[@diannakroeger9936]

I wish you would also check out the video of Kevin at age 17 at Carnegie Hall in a program called from the top. I think you will really enjoy it!!!!!!!

[@pattis2641]

You are one of my favorite reactors on KZbin and doing my FAVORITE band!! I can't wait until you do their current new album, THE LUCKY ONES"!!!

[@cody6678]

Dude's ripping electric guitar solos on a CELLO! What a legend haha.

[@kanona0115]

My brother introduced me to Apocalyptica years ago- I was immediately sold. Love your reaction to Kevin’s immense talent.

[@gable354]

This got me. New subscriber! I loved it! Do more of him!

[@Jessifer73]

I love Kevin🥰

[@joanbaillie9925]

Just watching this video again, again and again! I have to rate this as my all time favorite reaction video! You are knowledgeable and really get engrossed in the videos and appreciate talent. Loved you toe tapping and delight on your face as he does the cello playing!

[@denebolazubenelgenubi8720]

If you like Kevin's stuff, i recommend you his rendition of "stay with me". It's an old video (maybe six years ago), for celloboxing and piano. I am sure you will like it.

[@lauriedaiken4426]

It is my absolute favorite! So, so lovely!!

[@shannonbutler2825]

I love the "naw, man" headshake while still head bopping in time 😄

[@jessegirlb]

Ahhh!!!! I can't wait to watch this reaction. Kevin's brilliant! I love cello. I am a huge fan of Crooked Still--totally different than this, NewGrass--and they include cello. Their newer cellist is great, but their original, Rushad Eggleston, is just amazing. That was the first time I ever heard what I call "dirty" or "grungy" cello. It's such an emotionally evocative instrument for me.

[@smcowe]

OMG! have never seen anything like this! Well done Kevin!!!

[@nmv-9526]

And so humble and kind. Superhuman!

[@fearghasdan5576]

Great vid DJ! Thank you!

[@Nonnie335]

Great reaction and great video

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

Thanks 💯

[@Kristinedelaney_art]

He’s just so amazing. I never get sick of listening to this one!

[@octo448]

Namedropping Apocalyptica like they haven't been one of my favorite bands since I was 14. XD Thank you for this!

[@MrFluKeKe]

Love is the Message at Abby Road by Yussef Dayes, Alfa Mist, Rocco Palladino, and Mansur Brown. I think you would dig this one.