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. [5] Pentatonix started as a trio, as Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kirstin Maldonado had been in choir for most of their time in high school. [6] The three quickly put together an a cappella.