Pentatonix singer Kirstin Maldonado meets Long Island kids

Pentatonix singer Kirstin Maldonado with Kidsday reporters Desiree Clasen, left, Julia Almodovar, Mirabella Altebrando and Bianca Zou at the Live Nation offices in Manhattan. Credit: Newsday / Pat Mullooly
We met Kirstin Maldonado, who sings with the group Pentatonix, when she was visiting Manhattan recently. We had so much fun meeting with her and even singing with her at the end of our interview.
Who do you hang out with the most from the group?
Probably Scott [Hoying]. I have known him and Mitch [Grassi] the longest.
How did you feel when you first heard your song played on the radio?
It felt surreal. Honestly, it just didn’t seem real to me. I was just looking at the radio. . . . I thought it was so crazy and yet such a proud moment. And then I was thinking, this is so cool. I was like the last person to hear it — everyone else said that they have been hearing it on the radio.
Have you ever dreamed something like this was going to happen to you?
Actually, no. I wanted to do musical theater on Broadway in New York. That was kind of my dream and then Pentatonix happened. And it happened just because it was just friends who loved singing together and loved hanging out. It was a dream — a bigger dream — that I never thought was possible.
Would you rather sing alto or soprano?
Alto.
What do you like to do before you perform on stage?
I warm up with vocal exercises. I drink a lot of water. I kind of keep to myself. I have a space to keep quiet and get ready. I warm up and do my stuff.
What are the cons of being famous?
I think just having to be on your game all the time even when you are tired. It can be kind of hard and stressful. And also making sure that your voice is good for touring because when you are singing you always have to make sure that you are healthy both physically and mentally. Everything has to be just right.
Who was your favorite singer growing up and would you want that person to sing with Pentatonix?
Oh, my gosh! My favorite singer was Shania Twain. I would love for her to sing with me. And J. Lo — they are my favorites.
How did you decide on the name Pentatonix?
It is based off the pentatonic scale, which is a five-note scale in music. And there are five of us. We were going to be The Pentatonix but we dropped the “The” and added an “x” to try and be cooler. A cappella group names are hard!
Why did you decide to do this?
It started off with my friends. We had like a little trio together before we became a group. And it was just fun every time we came home from school — college — and we would just sing with each other. At first it was just a fun thing to do with your friends, and then it started growing and became something really special.
How does it feel being the only girl in the group?
It feels great. We are such a family. We interact like a family. Initially when I would take the longest to get ready they would be shouting, “Hurry up, hurry up!” And I would just shout back, “I have a lot more things to do to get ready.” I love it.
If you weren’t a singer-songwriter, what job do you think you would have?
I used to want to be a vet. I think that if I had to choose now, I would want to be a speech pathologist.
What has been your favorite place to perform?
In Japan. I had never been to Tokyo and was so excited to go there, and the fans there are just really amazing. They are kind and respectful. Although the very first trip I was there, I was crying every second because I was so happy. I was thinking, this is just everything I wanted it to be and more. It was just the coolest.
Have you ever messed up on stage?
Yes, definitely.
How did it feel getting your first Grammy?
I think we were all in shock. You take a picture right after you win it and we were cheesin’ really hard. That was like the ultimate goal and achievement. It was just so cool.
Do you sing in the shower?
Yes, yes I do.
Do you ever perform in your old hometown?
Yes. When we tour, we always do some hometown shows. They always make me so nervous because people that I have known all my life are there. And because it’s cool to go back and perform in venues and places that I wanted to see when I was growing up.
How did you meet?
Three of us went to high school together. Mitch and I did community theater together as well. We met the other two to create the group when we went to “The Sing-Off.”
If you were an app, what would you be?
Instagram, because it is fun.
What is your favorite movie and book?
I love all the Harry Potter books. Those are just my favorites. Movie? I really love “Moulin Rouge,” and it is coming to Broadway.
Eileen DeCarmine’s fifth-grade class, Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School, Miller Place