By: Lily Zhao <[email protected]>

How long have you been doing magic?

I picked it up around seventh grade. I don’t know why, it’s just something to do.

How did you get started? Who/what inspired you?

For one, it’s just an interesting thing. The whole idea of illusion and doing the impossible fascinated me. And I guess, also, my grandpa was a magician for a short time, he entertained in the military during WWII.

Why do you like magic so much?

It’s fun to see people’s reactions. You can create just that moment of astonishment in someone.

What are you most famous moves?

The one thing I am good at that I practice… it’s not really a trick, I do card manipulation, (which is) fancy stuff with a deck of cards. (I can) spring them from hand to hand, fan them out. I was actually in the talent show my sophomore year, then they got rid of the talent show.

How much can you do? List your favorite tricks.

I enjoy doing actual illusions and card tricks, as much as I do just fancy stuff with my hands. There’s a lot of dexterity.

Have you invented a card trick yourself?

I have a few tricks of my own that I’ve done before. I wouldn’t be able to name them off the top of my head.

Can you describe them then?

That’s hard to do without actually doing it, but I mean, a lot of the stuff I learned are from textbooks. I’ll get books from the library (and) I’ll buy books off the internet. A lot of the stuff will give you the basics for the trick and then I’ll apply my own pattern and my own working to it to make it mine. I don’t just read from the book and go word for word.

How much can you do with the cards? Do you do any other sort of magic?

I’ve done pretty much everything with cards. That’s what I stick to. I don’t do coins or other magic tricks, just cards. Cards are my focus.

Is this a hobby or do you plan to do this for a living?

People always ask me that, but no, I don’t plan on going into performance in the future. It’s just a lot of fun, a hobby.

Do you have favorite magician?

Not necessarily. I haven’t actually seen many magicians perform live. I have seen David Copperfield which was amazing. Aside from that, I can’t say that I do.

Have you ever won anything for your magic skills? Have you gone to any competitions?

I don’t know of any competitions if there are (any). No, I haven’t.

Do you ever perform for groups either outside or inside of school?

I don’t do anything professional, or (perform at) parties and stuff like that. This year so far, the whole card tricks and magic are on the back burner right now because I have to do college applications. Before that, I’d do a lot of tricks just for friends at school or for teachers. I did some shows for my English teacher a while back, but then outside of school…I’d help out at some events and perform for kids while baby sitting. Nothing for pay.

How long, back when there was plenty of time, did you spend practicing your card tricks?

That was mostly middle school through maybe sophomore year. That was my free time right there. All my free time was spent practicing, looking through books, sitting in front of a mirror checking angles, working with patterns, to become a better performer.

Do you plan on doing card tricks while you have free time or anytime after college?

I mean it’s something that’s on the back burner right now, but I’m hoping to pick it up again, just as a hobby to entertain people with.