Corner Canyon alum Blake Hullinger recently received the honor of being named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. Hullinger, who attends both Harvard University and Berklee College of Music through a joint studies program, is one of four students from Utah to earn the scholarship from the U.S. Department of Education. The nationwide program recognizes high school seniors for outstanding achievement in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields.

“I never expected to be here in a million years,” Hullinger said of his college experience. “I love it! Your only job is to learn, and I want to make the best use of my time.” He is currently juggling a full schedule of classes with practicing the piano and playing in the pit orchestra for student musical productions at the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club and the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Hullinger has always balanced academics with his passion for music and the performing arts. He was introduced to the piano at age 5 and later took up the guitar, drums, saxophone and bass. His dad, Brett Hullinger, spoke of his son’s early years learning piano and guitar, “He really took to it. He had a knack from an early age.”

“He just has a joy, a love of learning,” Hullinger’s mother, T. J. Hullinger, said. “The many, many hours that he puts into practicing has made him the musician he is today.”

When Hullinger was 11, he landed the role of Zack the guitarist in a St. George production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, “School of Rock.” The part inspired him to submit an audition tape for a Broadway touring production of the show. Hullinger was cast as a “swing,” an understudy part in which he had to learn multiple roles and play a variety of instruments.

“It was really, really fun,” he said. “Being in ‘School of Rock’ informed me what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One day I sat next to the pit orchestra conductor and I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Hullinger continued performing throughout high school, including roles in school musicals. Outside of school, he played local gigs in a guitar duo called BroBand with his older brother, Kellen. Hullinger also belonged to Utah’s All-State Band which is comprised of the best musicians from high school bands across the state. Until his sophomore year, he was a keyboard player and vocalist in Moon Juice, a jazz-rock fusion band which won Corner Canyon’s PTSA Battle of the Bands multiple times.

Although he is interested in conducting, Hullinger explained, “I am actively pursuing music directing at college as an extracurricular.” He has not officially declared a major yet but is considering economics. In the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program, Hullinger will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a Master’s from Berklee. “I am thinking of a Music Business or Technology degree,” he said.

He is enjoying his university experience immensely. “Everyone you meet here is someone with a different perspective, they have something about them that is unique. Your mind just opens up talking with them,” he said.

Among the other students he has met is a fellow musician from Draper, drummer Sofia Detjen. She is also in the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies Program and both play in the pit orchestra for shows at the Hasty Pudding Club.

Hullinger said that the best parts of his day involve having conversations with new friends or practicing an instrument. Immersing himself in music provides a break from his course work. “The amount I practice varies depending on classes. It can go from one to three hours a day to spending all weekend getting ready for a performance,” he said.

He loves all styles of music but jazz is his favorite. “I am a jazz fanatic!” he said.

Hullinger learned that he had been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar last September. He explained that he had initially applied for the scholarship during the second semester of his senior year. As part of the application process, he wrote an essay about his choir teacher, Melissa Thorne, a teacher who had made a significant impact on his life. When Hullinger received the award, Thorne received special recognition as well.  

“My favorite part of this award is that my choir teacher received a letter from the U.S. Department of Education in recognition of her talent as a teacher,” he said.

Hullinger’s parents commended Thorne as well as other staff members at Corner Canyon High School for the role they played in Hullinger’s success. “When we learned about the award, the first thing that came to mind was how much support he had from his school,” T. J. Hullinger said. “His counselor, Jenny Davis, wanted him to succeed and made sure he knew about scholarship opportunities.”

The whole Hullinger family is supportive and proud of Hullinger and his achievements. When they learned about his being named a U.S. Presidential Scholar, “it was incredibly special for us and for him,” his mom added.

While it isn’t always easy for parents to have a child far away at school, the Hullingers are glad that their son is thriving. “Knowing that your child is doing well and happy makes you happy,” T. J. Hullinger said. They hope that their son might serve as an inspiration to other high school students who are figuring out how to pursue their own dreams. “Be genuine and go for it,” she said.