Chris Viola

Chris Viola was born in Staten Island, New York, on June 10, 1998. His musical talent was evident from an early age, as he began performing at neighborhood block parties and family gatherings by the age of five. Throughout his primary education at PS 55 and Bernstein Intermediate School, Chris played the clarinet in the band. Upon entering Tottenville High School, he successfully auditioned for the concert choir, where he was assigned to the baritone section, despite having no formal vocal training prior to high school. He and his twin brother, Joe, were both members of the high school’s Honors’ Concert Choir, performing at numerous school functions, veterans’ ceremonies, local events, and for residents at Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center & Home. Chris attributes much of his vocal development and confidence to his concert choir teacher, JoAnne Nolemi.

Viola gained significant public attention in June 2016 when his 30-second cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” went viral on Twitter. This spontaneous upload captured widespread interest, leading to thousands of followers across his social media platforms, including Twitter, Vine (prior to its discontinuation), Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. Following this, he released a full version of “Hallelujah” across all music platforms in 2017. His early covers also included Usher’s “You Got It Bad,” which he shared on Twitter in March 2016, and a performance of “You Got it Bad/Because of You” which was uploaded to YouTube. His ability to connect with an audience through short, impactful vocal performances established his presence in the digital music landscape.

His social media success led to professional opportunities, including being contacted by PressPlay, a social media-based management and music label, in 2016. Through this partnership, Chris was invited to perform as a special guest at events at iPLAY America in Freehold, N.J., and subsequently had scheduled performances in Connecticut and Boston. He taught himself to play the keyboard and often accompanies himself during his performances, showcasing his dedication to his craft. While he performs various music genres, his primary affection lies in pop and rhythm and blues.