Jr. Magic Club
Ring 66
Dates: The club meets once a month from September to June. The schedule is posted here.
Costs: The annual fee is $125.00 per student. The Junior Magic Club operates on a non-profit business model, under the charter of the Calgary Magic Circle. Funds are used to cover facility rental and teaching materials.
Certifications [NEW]: This year, Junior Club Members are eligible to apply for The Calgary Magic Circle Magician's Certificates. More information is provided on the certificate program here.
Location: The club generally meets at the Lantern Church,1401 - 10 Ave SE.
Age Group: The club is open for young wizards from 8 - 16 years old.
The Course:
Professional magicians Yeats Wong and Ryan Pilling lead this magic course. Between the two of them, they have over 35 years of experience in magic.
The students are instructed in two ways; first and foremost, the student is expected to learn and explore magic on their own, through books, DVD's, or magic tricks purchased at magic shops. At every session, each student is asked to perform a magic effect; either one that they have recently learned, or one that they have performed but would like to improve. The instructors will guide them, and help them master the presentation of their material.
Secondly, the Yeats and Ryan will teach the students a variety of magic skills throughout the year, including; coin sleights, card sleights, parlour magic, misdirection, stage character, speaking skills, and stage presentation. Guest lecturers are often brought in to facilitate the course.
Students are also given the opportunity to practice performing on a real stage throughout the year, enhancing the course experience and training them to project their voices and their performance. In addition, each student is asked to choose a stage routine that they will develop and improve throughout the year, with the goal of performing this routine for a public audience.
At the end of the year, the Junior Magicians are invited to perform at a public gala performance, using the skills they have used throughout the year. This year (2011) the Junior Magicians have been invited to perform at the Calgary Stampede, Window on the West Stage.
Student Selection:
Due to the "hands-on" nature of magic and the limited one-to-one instructional time, only a small number of new students are accepted each year to join the Junior Magic Club. Potential students start with a "meet and greet" with the instructors and students, and join in on a free evaluation session, usually in September or October. Students will be informed shortly thereafter if they are accepted into the Junior Magic Club.
Generally, the traits of a good student in magic include:
- ability to be self-taught, having learned 2-3 magic tricks through books, friends, magic toys, etc.
- ability to focus, and follow medium-complexity step-by-step instructions
- self-confidence and speaking ability
- enthusiasm and a passion for magic
Contacts: For more information, please contact Yeats Wong at 403 244 8872 or email to yeatsw@gmail.com