Antonio Pontarelli is a unique figure in today's music scene as a violin-playing, singer/songwriter front man performing pop/funk music with his band. He has played at venues across the United States and abroad, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival. Antonio has collaborated with and recorded for artists such as Serj Tankian, Melissa Manchester, Mark O’Connor, David Benoit and Jethro Tull, and he has won several competitions and awards including PAX TV's 2004 competition show America's Most Talented Kid.
His classical training on the violin began at the age of 4. In the years that followed, he played in youth violin competitions and local orchestras including the San Diego Youth Symphonic Orchestra, where he was the Concertmaster from 2003-2005. While continuing his classical education, Antonio experimented with other genres and improvisation, performing with jazz, country, blues, world and rock musicians. His passionate approach to rock/blues and improvisation led to some calling him the "Jimi Hendrix of the violin."
Antonio also works in digital, film and television production. In 2012, he was hired by FremantleMedia to compose and produce music for The Pet Collective, one of Google's original 100 YouTube channels. Antonio graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California at the age of 20. When he's not making or teaching music, he's helping others improve their lives through fitness and movement.
