“You are the magician in your own life.
You are the agent of transformation, your own transformation.”
– Eugene Burger
In July I had some surprising news! Dr Lawrence Hass who is the the Dean of the McBride Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas wrote to me. He wrote to let me know that I was a recipient of the Eugene Burger Legacy Award! These awards are granted by an anonymous committee to talented magicians who are deemed to embody Eugene Burger’s finest qualities as a person and/or as a performer.
The news of this lifted my spirits and brought joy to my heart. I have been influenced by Eugene Burgers’ philosophy on magic for many years. I was fortunate to study with him on a masterclass at the McBride magic school in 2015. This class was transformative in my approach to magic. I went to the class with an idea that I wanted to create a magical character who performed dark stories and magic. I left the class equipped with the tools to make this character a reality.
I will never forget the time when I performed what little magic material I had prepared for the class. At the end of my spot the master teachers Eugene and Jeff McBride joined me on the stage to give their feedback. Eugene put his hand upon my shoulder and said to me:
“you are good. You are really good. And now we are going to make you better.”
And indeed they did.
Here are just few key things I learned from Eugene.
1) Turn the internet off.
2) It is better to practise for fifteen minutes a day than to save it all up for a long practise session.
3) If someone is rude to you and does not want to be entertained by your magic, you can politely walk away.
4) Always think, “I have something wonderful to show you.”
5) Take your magic seriously. If you do not take your magic seriously no one else will either.
6)It is possible to have a magical life.
7) Always be kind.
8) It is better to uncover your character than create it.
9) Commit to excellence.
10) Turn the internet off.
The McBride Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas is a huge catalyst for change and transformation in my development as a person and magician. I am hugely grateful for the recognition afforded by this award. It really feels like a huge nod of encouragement towards the work I have been doing in magic. And indeed a message to keep going in these troubled times.
Both Jeff McBride and Dr Lawrence Hass are outstanding teachers of magic and magical philosophy. Courses and mentor packages are available for magicians and students of all levels. They run a weekly session online every Monday which is currently free to watch here >
You can read more about the life and teachings of Eugene Burger here>
