Robert Stemmons

Robert Stemmons is an American whistler[1] who worked at Corteo for Cirque du Soleil from 2006 to 2013.

Early life

Robert Stemmons was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to a woman named Ethel.[2] He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[3]

He learned how to whistle at age 5.[4] At age 13, he was inspired by whistler Fred Lowery when Lowery came to perform at his junior high school called Woodrow Wilson Junior High School in Tulsa. Around this time, Stemmons had a childhood friend who whistled.[2] They encouraged each other throughout high school. His grandmother, a whistler herself, helped Stemmons explore his interest by playing Lowery songs.[5]

Career

While working as a custodian in Michigan, a music teacher overheard him whistling and asked if he could perform at the school's spring show with her on piano.[2] He performed professionally since the early 2000s.[6]

Stemmons have recorded two CDs titled "Whistlodeon" and "A Whistler's Christmas".[7] In 2006, he performed as 'The Loyal Whistler' in Corteo.[8][9]

Some of the different types of whistles Stemmons does is birdcalls and two-tone whistling, where one whistler whistles like it's two people doing a duet.[10][11]

Personal life

Stemmons met his wife Pauline while they worked together. They currently live in Idaho.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "High notes in the world of whistling". News On 6. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Grelen, Jay. "Man ain't whistlin' Dixie with job". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Tulsa 2". ReverbNation. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Come Meet the Whistler - Robert Stemmons". Coffeyville Community College. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ Brus, Brian. "It's a Living: Whistler". The Journal Record. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ Thrash, Amanda. "Whistlers to pucker up for own special week". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Whistler's Brother: What's wrong with this picture?". Examiner Enterprise. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  8. ↑ Vittes, Laurence. "Cirque du Soleil displays gentler side in "Corteo"". Reuters. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Cirque is reborn with a very different, old-fashioned 'Corteo'". Oregon Live. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Curless, Erica. "Pro whistlers to show art at Puckerama". Spokesman. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  11. ↑ Simon, Scott. "The Whistler Talks About His Art". NPR. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
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