February 13, 2010 - The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York offers KidZone an unique closed-circuit TV studio, which streams entertainment videos to pediatric patients, throughout the hospital. Members of SYM #69 along with members of PA #1 have made special films for the hospital at this unique studio. The hospital offers free meeting space for the S A M.

This second annual show was a fund raiser to support the program, donating all proceeds to KidZone. SYM leader Albert Lasher produced another great show with members of the SYM and a few guests. The show in two acts had a "close-up Intermission" in the theater lobby between the halves.

The complete story and two photo galleries are available by clicking this link.

December 31, 2009 - The article, titled 7th grade magician Luke Mouton wows Carthage Kiwanis club members, is available by clicking here or the image.

December 6, 2009 - Dozens of young magicians and their parents attended with guests from NYC and CT along with many National Council officers. The morning close-up was followed by a buffet luncheon and an afternoon stage show. Click the image for a gallery of photos from the event.

December 4, 2009 - Members of NY SYM #69 performed for Parent Assembly #1 after meeting show. Performers will film a special show to be seen in Pediatric wards at Mt. Sinai hospital. Photo, left to right: Rueben, Danny, Simon, Gidcon, Julian, Jen, Dan, Paul and Spence. Click the image to enlarge.

December 2, 2009 - The Society of American Magicians invites young magicians ages 7-17 to audition for the Stars of Tomorrow show that takes place during the S.A.M. National Convention, June 30, July 1, 2, & 3, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Stars of Tomorrow show is a professional stage show that features young magicians and is one of the most popular events at the convention. Each performer will be paid. He or she also will receive two convention registrations (one for the performer, the other for a parent), plus a year's membership in the Society of Young Magicians.

To download complete information and an application, please click here or the image.

August 21, 2009 - A great show by all. Click the images to enlarge.

See more Assembly #3 photos here.

While the S.A.M. gives out big trophies for membership growth, the S.Y.M. (being practical) awards money to those Assemblies who have shown the most membership increase during the past year. This year, the following received the honor...and the money:

• Frederic C. Powell: Y093 in Phoenix
• Al Baker: Y009 in Kansas City
• Harlan Tarbell: Y096 in Hatboro, PA

Congratulations to all of you...and may you "Share Your Money" with your clubs!

Click the images to enlarge.

Who's teaching whom? The "old guys" seem to be learning from the young ones!	Bruce Chadwick shares how to PERFORM a trick, not just DO it!	It was difficult to get everyone together for a photo, but here are some of them.	Our young attendees believe in "Sharing Your Magic"!	Getting ready for the "Stars of Tomorrow" show.
And here they are: definitely the stars of tomorrow...and of today!	What a treat: the kids learn from the best: Shawn Farquhar, F.I.S.M. first-place winner in card magic!	"The man from outer space"--Richard Garriott shares his experiences on a spaceship.	Trevor and Jann shared their birthday while at the convention. Of course, there was some difference in years!	Another treat for the kids: Ice McDonald!

Posted May 25, 2009 - Award-winning magician Josh Jay recently spent a week at the College of Magic in Cape Town, South Africa, delivering an action-packed four days filled with lectures, workshops, and performances for students, staff, and magicians. Many of the young members are part of our S.Y.M. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted March 6, 2009 - Nicholas Chow, who has just turned nine, has just turned the 2007 Stars of Tomorrow program mock-up by Bruce Kalver into reality! Using an enlarged poster-size version of Bruce Kalver's wonderful creation based on the famous "Alexander" poster, Nicholas has created an entire comedy mentalism act based on the theme of "Nicholas - the Boy who Knows." With this act, Nicholas competed in the 2009 Vancouver Magic Circle junior comedy magic competition and won 1st place! That night he really was "The Boy Who Knows"! Here is a photo of Nicholas with his poster and holding the 2009 Vancouver Magic Circle Rick Honey trophy for junior comedy magic.

Posted January 16, 2009 - New Zealand SYM Lifetime member Aleshia Spiers poses with Dean George Schindler at New Years Eve Party at a convention in Auckland. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted January 4, 2009 - Throughout the years, S.Y.M. Assembly 3 has had great success with our youth in the club. In past years, many of our members have performed at Magic in the Rockies (a local convention) and at our S.A.M. public show. Some have performed at restaurants and parties. One has even been the magician at Six Flags amusement park. But we have done so much more.

We have performed magic at many local events including senior housing centers. We have had a wonderful time performing for youth at the Denver Homeless Shelter and the Denver Children’s Museum, and in December, we had the pleasure of performing for Make A wish Foundation at the Children’s Hospital. We have a great group of young magicians and even a couple of magical ventriloquists.

Photo: Left to Right: Nick, Michael, Mike, Mega, A. J. Click the image to enlarge.

December 31, 2008 - What do you get when you put dozens of talented young magicians together in the same room? One amazing and entertaining afternoon of Holiday Magic!

On December 6, 2008, The Society of Young Magicians, Bill Andrews Assembly #42 welcomed members of the New York S.Y.M. group Assembly #69 lead by Albert Lasher, magicians from the West Hartford SYM Assembly #6 led by Dana Ring, as well as members from the newest S.Y.M. Chapter currently being formed in Waterford, Connecticut. George Schindler, the Dean of American Magicians, was also a guest of honor.

The event, held at the Villa Maria Education Center in Stamford, Connecticut, featured more than three dozen young magicians performing a multitude of close up tricks for family, friends, and invited guests. After a delicious lunch, the magic continued with a stage show featuring a magically appearing violin, disappearing doves, card routines, and big illusions, including a levitation table and a glass casket.

This annual holiday get-together is a longstanding tradition, according to S.Y.M. #42 founder, Bill Andrews. "It's important that the young people feel comfortable in extending friendship, shaking hands with other people, offering help, and expanding their education in the form of friendship and good citizenship." "Working together, thinking together and acting together, it's an important attitude to have," Andrews added.

What really set this holiday gathering apart from all others is that it was broadcast live on the internet. S.Y.M. #42 Coach, Magician, and Executive Producer of "Real Magic TV" Jonathan Krackehl came up with the idea. "As far as I know, this is a first for S.Y.M., broadcasting close up and stage magic with three live cameras, on location in Stamford, Connecticut," Krackehl said. "Viewers wrote in and interacted with the young magicians through a virtual Q & A after the show." "Viewers were also encouraged to chat with each other and comment on a live chat during the broadcast" he added.

Family and friends from as far away as Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New York state logged onto the internet to watch and enjoy the more than 4-hour live broadcast. The live webcast was so successful that many people asked for it to be shown again. If you'd like to tune in to see what all of the fuss is about, you, too, can watch the rebroadcasts on Saturday, January 3, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. EST and on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. EST. Rebroadcasts can be seen for free at www.realmagictv.com. Users can also sign up for a free account in order to interact live with the broadcast.

For more information on the holiday party or any of S.Y.M. 42's upcoming events, log onto www.stamfordsocietyofyoungmagicians.com

Posted November 22, 2008. Click any image to enlarge.

Group photo of members of S.Y.M. #29 in Boston with lecturers Rachel and Aldo Colombini and Adult Director/Leader, David Oliver.

Rachel Colombini teaching some great effects to the members and parents of S.Y.M. #29.

Aldo Colombini showing members of S.Y.M. #29 the proper way to use audience helpers without embarrassment.

Posted November 22, 2008 - S.Y.M. #29 Boston's Adult Leader David Oliver officiating at the official "Passing of the Wand" ceremony at the September meeting, as the 2007-2008 officers end their term and the newly elected 2008-2009 officers (as voted on by the members) begin their year in office. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted October 3, 2008 - Columbia, SC - October 25 to 31 is National Magic Week and The Society of American Magicians/Young Magicians club announces the coming of National Magic Week, October 25-November 1. For more than forty years the Society has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a special 'week' of events to highlight the charitable work of the Society throughout the year. Events include performances by leading professional magicians and the members of the local Society of Young Magicians # Y172.

Appeared in The Province - Sunday, August 17, 2008. The Province is British Columbia's most read daily newspaper.

Jack Chow & brother Nicholas both won two gold medals each at the recent PCAM conference in Monterey, California. This, combined with the gold medal that their father won, makes an unprecedent 5 gold medals won by a father and two sons in the same year.

Jack, 11, is now a six-time Pacific Coast & four-time Vancouver magic junior champion. Nicholas, 8, is the youngest four-time Pacifc Coast and two-time Vancouver Junior Champion. In total the Chow family of magic has won over 50 magic awards!

Click the image or here to view a PDF of the article from The Province. Photo credit to Les Bazso.

Posted September 3, 2008 - Each year at the annual meeting of the S.A.M. National Council, Assembly growth awards are presented. How does this work? There are three categories: 5-9 members, 10-14 members, and 15-19 members. We start with the number on record on June 1 and end with the number on May 31 to determine the percentage of growth. Rather than trophies, each of these three groups receives a check for $100. For this past year (2007-2008), the following earned these awards: Assembly 130 in Maine, Assembly 107 in Honolulu, and Assembly 29 in Boston. Congratulations! Let's all work to get those new members so that next year your group will receive the glory and the money and the benefit of new members.

Fifty-two happy young magicians attended the first-ever S.Y.M. "Weekend Of Wonder" July 4 and 5. The event was a highly successful magic convention for children from the ages of 7 through 17. They learned and participated in lectures and demonstrations and watched two evening magic shows performed by some of the youngsters and augmented by professional magicians from all parts of the country. The mentors traveled to Warwick, Rhode Island, and all donated their time and expertise. Five concentrated "hands-on" workshops were interspersed with an ice cream social, a break for Del's Frozen Lemonade, a hot dog supper, a salad lunch, and a pasta buffet for the attendees and their parents. Breaks for donuts and impromptu magic by the youngsters added to the fun. A special Parents Meeting was included led by "honoree" Bill Andrews. More than a dozen mentors helped director Jann Goodsell and her able staff led by Bruce Kalver, David Oliver, and Mike Miller. The children also received valuable magic gifts donated by well known magic dealers. SA.M National Council Officers were in attendance. Watch for a gallery of photos on site. Click the current image to enlarge.

Participating mentors: John Apperson, Dick Blowers, Trixie Bond, Marlene Clark, Andy Dallas, Lyn Dillies, Rachel Dunn, Vinny Grosso, Bruce Kalver, Ice McDonald, Mike Miller, David Oliver, Jimmy Ray, George Schindler, Ed Thomas, Mark Weidhass.

May 24, 2008 - SYM members from Philadelphia, PA and Stamford, CT came to New York to join SYM#69 in force and were an integral part of the day. They got to Mt. Sinai around 10 AM, bringing cold beverages (SYM #96) and cookies and brownies (SYM #42) along with big time illusions and a lot of talent. A PDF with full details of the event may be found by clicking here. Photo at right: Second Annual Day of Magic in New York a success. Performers from SYM 69,(NY) SYM 42 (CT) and SYM96 (PA) their bows. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted May 14, 2008 - Seventeen-year-old Monica from Makhaya in Khayelitsha is a very happy young lady when she was awarded 3rd place in the Teen Stage Magic Contest at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. Even more amazing was winning this honour in the male-dominated world of magical entertainment. She and a fellow magician, 16-year-old Mawonga, also of Khayelitsha, both won their way through to the semi-finals and were selected to compete in the prestigious finals event at the Orleans Hotel Theatre on Wednesday morning. Magicians from throughout the world participated.

Monica's act had been developed over a two-year period. She plays the role of a ‘homeless child' that has her life transformed by the wonder of magic. She received a rousing response from the audience, especially for her floating table illusion. Fifteen-year-old Alex of Rondebosch assisted her in the act. This is a fitting reward for a young lady who really worked at balancing the time of studying hard for her matric and perfecting her magical performance. Sixteen-year-old Michael of Plumstead was awarded 3rd place in the Close-up Magic Contest for his very unusual 'plumber'-themed act.

The magicians are part of a team of seven students of the College of Magic who attended the World Teen event in Las Vegas, USA. The World Magic Seminar is one of the 'grandest gatherings' of magicians from all over the world, featuring magical giants such as the dynamic duo Siegfried & Roy, David Copperfield, and Lance Burton. The College of Magic students have been rubbing shoulders with these magic celebrities over the past week, attending workshops and shows and experiencing the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Posted February 29, 2008 - South Carolina online newspaper "The State" recently published a full-length article about the S.Y.M. It was a great article and wonderful publicity for the S.Y.M. Read full text and see the pictures at http://www.thestate.com/living/story/307217.html Be sure to check out the "Extras" link where you can learn the secret to linking two paperclips without ever touching them!

Posted January 26, 2008 - At our October meeting, we were blessed with a visit from SAM president Maria Ibanez. Many of the members performed for her. Here is a picture of SYM members Josh Benforado and Marissa Zumbo as they perform a card effect. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted May 28, 2007 - Curtain call for all the participants of the May 26 Super SYM Party. Members of YM Assemblies 42 (Stamford CT), YM 96 (Philadelphia PA) and host Assembly YM69 (New York City.) Click to enlarge.

Posted April 30, 2007 - Members of YM96 pose wit Dean George Schindler and Nina. George lectured for them on April 26th. Photo by Kyle Peron. Click to enlarge.

Posted March 23, 2007 - Bruce Kalver working with one of the S.Y.M. youth in Indianapolis in March. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted March 3, 2007 - Pigeon Forge Tennessee - Ten-year-old Devon Owens (S.A.M Assembly #271), along with his assistant, eleven-year-old Glenna Beaty, attended The Winter Carnival of Magic, a stage magic contest. The contest was held during the weekend of March 1st through 3rd, in the Country Tonight Theater located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and is hosted by the International Brotherhood of Magicians (ring 58) from Knoxville. There, they performed their tribute to "The Most Famous Magician Ever, Harry Houdini," which includes a brief history about the man and his tricks. Devon performed two of Houdini's tricks, the Mailbag Escape and the Metamorphosis, and in his words, "The Metamorphosis gave Houdini his break. We've put a little twist to it, so today, hopefully it will give me mine." Devon and his assistant brought home the first place trophy, in addition to encouragement and the recognition of magicians from around the country. To see videos of their performance you can visit Devon's MySpace page at www.myspace.com/magicianboy or the Tennessee Magical Society's webpage at www.tnmagic.org. Click the photos to enlarge.

Posted March 3, 2007 - Newest Assembly members of YM136 (South Africa) meet at World Seminar in Las Vegas L to R: Craig Mitchell, Mfundo, Jann Goodsell, Simon, Trudie & Daniel. Click the photo to enlarge.

Posted February 21, 2007 - One of the members of our newest S.Y.M. Assemblies, Y138, located in Fort Myers, Florida, demonstrates her magical abilities. Click the photo to enlarge.

Posted February 4, 2007 - Here are the pictures from our SYM assembly in South Africa! For more info see...
www.collegeofmagic.com/albums/view/Flash.view/cover.php?name=Society_of_Young_Magicians

Magic is alive in South Africa as our newest SYM Assembly the Society of Young Magicians opened in Cape Town in association with the College of Magic. Seen here are some of its latest members. In the photo on the bottom left are - Back row: Craig Mitchell, Sesethu, Mawonga, Simon, Front Row: Yanga, Erik, Marian Williamson (Assembly leader)

Posted January 21, 2007 - Here are the pictures from our SYM assembly for the First SYM Stage Contest that we had. The contestants were Robby, Rebecca, Ryan and Jared. For more info see www.gulfcoastmagicians.com/magicmeeting101806.htm

Posted January 14, 2007 - Franz Harary paid SYM 107 in Hawaii a visit. A great time was had by all, and here are a few pictures to comemorate the event. Click an image to enlarge it.

L-R: Terry Tsujioka, Franz, Taylor Komatsu

L-R Taylor Komatsu, Terry Tsujioka, Scott Tan, Murray, Cody Ishizuka, Tyler Yafuso, Christopher Vinca, Franz

December 20, 2006 - Camp Scholarships are made possible by a grant from the Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment. Funds are now available for the 2007 summer season. Click here for details.

The members of Portland Assembly Y105 of the Society of Young Magicians (SYM) presented their annual Thanksgiving show at our November 22 meeting night. The kids provided a great evening of magic. Steven Dickerson served as M.C. for the event and did a few effects between acts as the show rolled along. The other magicians were Carolyn Dickerson, Ellen and Shanna Anderson, and Noah and Quinn Meihoff. The show included a wonderful display of parlor and stage magic. As always, this was the eve before Thanksgiving. Our local SYM group has provided this show for many years as a way to thank the SAM 59 members for their support, encouragement, and provision of certified adult leaders.

Posted December 9, 2006 - Left - More than 100 Guests attend for close up, lunch and a show. Right- Performers of SYM #42 and their Guests, SYM 69 (NY) take a curtain call. For full story and gallery of photos, click here. Click these images to enlarge.

December 9, 2006 - More than 100 youngsters and their parents were joined by New York"s Bob McAllister Assembly for a buffet, close-up and stage show. Photo depicts Kayla reading a Presidential Citation from Andy Dallas.

May 27, 2006 - SYM #42 member Graham Fishman had a front page photo in the Stamford Advocate along with a story about him and their leader Bill Andrews. Click the image to see a more detailed image.

The John Calvert Assembly Y029 held its November 10, 2006, meeting at Hank Lee's Magic Factory in Boston, MA. After the President's pre-meeting workshop, the "Chosen Ones" critique session, and pizza, the members and parents were treated to a great lecture by kidshow expert Mike Bent. Mr. Bent is a full-time professional, with vast experience in kidshows, comedy clubs, and television. Along with being very well known for his comedy magic locally, he has been on HBO and Comedy Central, has appeared at the White House, and is a regularly featured speaker at the annual "Kidabra" conference. Pictured are Mike Bent, adult leader David Oliver, and several members of the Assembly after the lecture.

October 31, 2006 - Old fashion Halloween Party featuring the Magic of S.Y.M. members Michael Michaelson, Brittany Lord, Kaitlyn Grassette and the Magic of Karen Seymour and Scot Grassette. Click either thumbnail below to read the press coverage they garnered!

Magic Week, 2006 - Rumford Community Home (24hr nursing care, Alzheimer's and long term care) SYM show featuring Kaitlyn Grassette, Jared Arsenault, Matt Mcpherson. MC'ed by Scot Grassette. Click the thumbnail images to view full size copies.

SYM Assembly 96 will be performing on December 10 at 2pm, at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA. Philadelphia, Delaware and other area magicians are invited to attend!

Posted September 26, 2006 - Dean George Schindler teaches SYM133 members a "sponge vanish" at their meeting in Austin, Texas. Attending members received gift copies of one of his books donated by SAM # 206. Click the images to enlarge.

Posted September 6, 2006 - S.Y.M. Jack and Nicholas Chow of Vancouver, Canada, each won gold at the recent Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention held in Victoria, BC in August. Jack Chow at only age 9 won his fourth Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) championship in three consecutive years with a gold medal in stage magic, plus two additional silver medals for close-up and most innovative act at this year's convention held in Victoria, BC. Nicholas Chow, the youngest Pacific Coast Champion in the 73 year history of the PCAM last year at age 5, won his second gold at only age 6. The brothers learned their award winning skills from father, Rod Chow, who just won 1st place in the 2006 S.A.M. Contest of Close-Up Magic held in July in Louisville, Kentucky. www.rodchow.com Photo at right of Nicholas (L) & Jack (R). Click the image to enlarge.

Posted August 21, 2006 - Each year, The Society of Young Magicians gives a cash award of $25 to those Assemblies who have had the greatest percentage of growth in their category, based on the number of members at the beginning of the year (beginning in July). This year, the following Assemblies received this award: Y093-Phoenix, Arizona; Y004-St. Petersburg, Florida; Y009-Kansas City; Y046-Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Y042-Stamford, Connecticut; and Y112-Concord, California.

All of us involved in the S.Y.M. salute these Assemblies and most especially their leaders. Thank you for Sharing Your Magic!

Posted August 4, 2006 - Story by Bob Steiner, PNP.

On July 24, I went to the S.Y.M. 112 meeting at Winslow Center. That is an excellently run organization under the leadership of PNP Loren Lind, current President of S.A.M. 112, assisted by Bob Holdridge, Past President of No. 112. It was such a joy to attend the meeting and to enjoy the enormous magical talent presented by the young folk who are members of the S.Y.M. It is clear that the members are learning well under the mentorship of Loren Lind, Bob Holdridge, and, until recently, Tim Ferreira.

When I arrived, I asked Loren if there would be a meeting (other than performing magic) that evening. He assured me that it would be a meeting of the S.Y.M. I requested permission to say a few words, and Loren granted my request, but it was obvious that he was curious about what I would say to the S.Y.M. group. He did not ask, and there was no way that I was going to tell him in advance.

When he recognized me, I announced, with pride, that S.Y.M. Assembly 112 had earned the Herman Hanson Award for membership growth. This was presented at the national convention in Louisville, Kentucky, and I had accepted it and promised to present it personally at the next S.Y.M. 112 meeting.

And so I did. The award was a check for $25!

May 27, 2006 - Aleshia is a 4th generation member of the Watson family of New Zealand to become a magical performer, following mother Melanie, grandfather Alan and great-great-great Uncle Oswald into the magic industry. She is seven years old. Click the image to see a more detailed image.

April 25, 2006 - On Saturday, April 29th, "Canada's Youngest Magic Duo", The Magic of Jen and Zac, will take the stage at the beautifully renovated Ellice Theatre at 585 Ellice Ave, Winnipeg, MB. Jen and Zac's show, titled "The Temple of Benares", promises to be a full production magic show with live rabbits and live colorful doves. Watch Jen transform a toy doll into a real live human. Can Zac really ride a flying carpet? Do not be fooled by Jen and Zac`s young ages, as you truly won't believe your eyes. Special guests include Darcy Oake, who has performed in Las Vegas and recently at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Also performing is Canada's Funniest Ventriloquist Act, Dave Dixon and his Puppet Pal Louie. Jen and Zac are graciously donating all proceeds from the show to the Winnipeg Humane Society. Great family entertainment!

April 18, 2006 - This year, for the first time, The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is proud to announce that we have joined with The Magic Circle to provide a way for a very special and deserving youngster by the name of Joshua Miller, from Cambridge, England, to attend a magic camp located in Toronto. The young magician is receiving a full tuition scholarship for his tuition to attend Sorcerer's Summer Safari magic camp in Toronto, Canada, and his travel expenses from England to Canada.

Josh Miller is 15 years old, attends Swavesey Village College, and is a member of Peterborough Magic Club and The Young Magicians' Club in London, which he attends monthly, although it is a two-hour trip each way. He has appeared on several TV shows, such as on a 10-week series called Tricky TV with Stephen Mulhern, which was shown on CITV in September 2005. He has won several magic competitions; and in 2004, at age 13, he was the winner of the ITV's Ministry of Mayhem Junior X-Factor competition, whose finalists were judged by Simon Cowell. He has also performed before literally thousands of people during two weeks at Marvin's Magic Shop located in Hamleys of Regent Street, the largest toy store in the world. Joshua also contributes his time very generously to various charities and fund-raising events.

We are particularly proud to contribute to Josh Miller's chance to travel to another continent to broaden his magical experience and develop his expertise in magic at a young impressionable age.

This year, The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund intends to provide four other full tuition scholarships with travel expense to Sorcerer's Summer Safari magic camp in Toronto, and to Tannen's Magic Camp in New York. Applications can be obtained by writing to the above address or sending a request by email to KapsMagic@earthlink.com.

Posted January 8, 2006. By Trigg Burrage, performer at last Summer's "Stars of Tomorrow Show": Over the Christmas holidays I was invited to and traveled to Anchorage, Alaska to perform in the Anchorage SYM's Holiday Magic Extravaganza. We performed 9 shows (2-3 shows per day) from Dec. 26th -29th. Each show had a packed audience. The show is an annual event put together by the SYM 120's "Magic Kids". The director of the show is magician Don Russel. The show consisted of many individual and unique routines performed by each of the magic kids. In the show they also performed several illusions that were created, constructed, and performed by the magic kids. I was the special guest performer in the show. What a fun experience! The magic kids work year round to put together these shows and I think they really deserve some recognition for all their efforts.