Chris Ullman

Christopher Ullman (born c. 1963) is an American whistler, public relations executive, and author. He won the International Whistlers Convention in 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2000.

Early life

Ullman was born c. 1963[1] and raised in Massapequa Park, New York.[2] He learned how to whistle as a boy at age five from his father, Joseph, who was also a whistler.[3] As a boy, he would listen and copy his father's Gilbert and Sullivan songs. He started taking whistling seriously at age thirteen, whistling while delivering newspapers on his bike. He attended Binghamton University.[1] In college, he whistled jazz and blues songs for a friend's band.[4]

Career

Public relations

Ullman was the director of communitions for several member of the United States Congress and the United States House Committee on the Budget.[1] He was the director of communications for the Office of Management and Budget and the public affairs director and spokesman for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.[2] Ullman then worked as the director of public relations, managing director, and the director of global communications for The Carlyle Group in Washington, D.C.[1][2] He then formed his own public relations firm based in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia.[1]

Whistling

In the early 1990s, Ullman's friend, Elizabeth Sauer, introduced him to the International Whistlers Convention, which they called the National Whistlers Convention, where he competed for decades.[5] He first entered the National Whistlers Convention in 1993, winning second prize in the popular music category.[3][6] He continued entering the competition, becoming a four-time international whistling champion in 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2000.[1] Ullman has performed all over the country with his whistling, most notedly for U.S President George W. Bush, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and multiple covers of the national anthem at stadiums, mainly for the Baltimore Orioles.[7][8]

In 2012, Ullman presented a TED Talk about whistling.[3] In 2017, he wrote the memoir Find Your Whistle: Simple Gifts Touch Hearts and Change Lives.[2]

Personal life

Ullman lives in Alexandria, Virginia.[6] He has a wife, Kristen, who ironically has sound sensitivity; Ullman whistles in private to not bother her.[1][3]

He regularly volunteers at the American Red Cross.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cullum, James (May 15, 2026). "INTERVIEW: Alexandria's world-champ whistler shares life lessons". Alx Now. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Tagert, Bob (June 27, 2017). "Christopher Ulllman: Whistling his Own Tune!". Old Town Crier. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Buyers, Ashleigh (July 26, 2017). "International whistling champion helps others find their inner whistle". Catholic Herald. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Chris Ullman – World Champion Whistler". Rotary Club of North Bethesda - Maryland. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  5. ↑ Ullman, Chris. "FAQ". Chris Ullman. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Hunt, Mae (June 10, 2019). "Alexandria's Happy Whistler: Chris Ullman". Alexandria Living Magazine. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Yerek, Becky (May 3, 2026). "The 62-Year-Old Man on a Mission to Whistle in the NFL". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Chris Ullman whistles the National Anthem". Major League Baseball. May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  9. ↑ Hovey, Megan. "Access to Innovators Podcast with Chris Ullman". High Point University. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
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