Sean Lomax facts for kids

Sean Alan Lomax is an amazing American professional whistler. He is famous for his incredible talent. Sean Lomax has won the top prize at the International Whistlers Convention three times!

In 2005, he left his regular job to join the famous show Corteo by Cirque du Soleil. He has been performing ever since, showing off his unique whistling skills to audiences around the world.

Early Life and Whistling Journey

Sean Lomax grew up in a town called Braddock. This town is a suburb near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When he was 18 years old, Sean joined the United States Navy. He served in the submarine service.

Sean has an amazing whistling range. He can whistle across three full octaves! He was encouraged to go to the yearly International Whistlers Convention. This big event happens in Louisburg, North Carolina.

First Competition and Wins

Sean first attended the convention in 1985. He performed famous songs like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. He also whistled Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. However, he was disqualified that year for going over the time limit.

Sean kept going back to the competition. His hard work paid off! He became the International Whistling Grand Champion in 1988. He won again in 1992. Twenty years later, in 2012, he won for a third time! In 2009, he was also named Entertainer of the Year.

Television Appearances

In 1990, Sean was stationed with the Navy in San Diego, California. He traveled to Louisburg for the competition. He placed second while dressed as a "whistling sailor." He performed music from The Barber of Seville and "The Theme from Superman".

After his 1988 win, Sean appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1992, he was a guest on Late Night with David Letterman. On that show, he whistled the first part of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. This was the same piece that helped him win the International Whistlers Convention that year.

Performing with Cirque du Soleil's Corteo

In 2000, people started noticing Sean's unique talent. One reviewer said he "wowed the audience" with his "true and adventurous" whistling. In 2004, Sean Lomax released a jazz holiday album. It was called Whistling This Christmas.

That same year, Sean appeared on several TV shows. He also auditioned for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. Cirque du Soleil is a world-famous entertainment company.

Joining Corteo

In April 2005, the show Corteo began. Sean Lomax had a main role in it! He decided to leave his job as a network technician. He became a full-time whistler.

In Corteo, Sean played a character named Mr. Loyal. Mr. Loyal was the circus ringmaster. Sean performed in over 3,000 shows! A reviewer from the Houston Chronicle newspaper, Molly Glentzer, wrote about his performance. She said Sean Lomax whistled so well that he seemed "part bird, part angel."

A new version of Corteo started in 2018. Sean Lomax was part of that show too. He continues to share his amazing whistling talent with audiences everywhere.