 Criss' interest in music started in early childhood; at age five, he began taking violin lessons and was classically trained for the next fifteen years.Criss taught himself how to play other instruments, including guitar, piano, mandolin, harmonica, and drums.In high school, Criss immersed himself in music – he held the position of concertmaster in the school orchestra, he fronted his own band, and was voted "most likely to win a Grammy" by his peers.