Student Spotlight | Chase ’27 Finds Connection Through Magic

Chase ’27 still remembers the moment that first drew him into magic. He was 10 years old, watching Shin Lim on America’s Got Talent, and he could not look away. What began as fascination soon became practice, and what began with a simple summer camp trick has grown into a serious craft.

Over the past seven years, Chase has continued to build his skills as a magician, practicing sleight of hand, developing routines, and learning how to connect with an audience. At Friends, he has shared this part of himself with the community in many ways, including performing for Lower School students during Community Period, at Spring Fair, and in the Upper School Talent Show.

For Chase, magic is not only about mastering a trick. It is about attention, timing, composure, and the ability to bring people into a shared moment of surprise and joy. His performances reflect both careful preparation and a generous spirit: a willingness to share something he loves with younger students, peers, families, and the wider community.

In this Student Spotlight, Chase reflects on how he first became interested in magic, what goes into preparing a performance, and why the chance to make someone’s day means as much to him as the illusion itself.

How did you first become interested in magic?

I remember watching Shin Lim on America’s Got Talent perform incredible miracles. Every sleight or movement was calculated to a T, and my 10-year-old self could not pry myself away from the television. He was making playing cards appear from nowhere while simultaneously showing me how I would spend the rest of my life.

What was the first trick or routine you learned that made you feel like you were really becoming a magician?

Immediately after watching America’s Got Talent, I was obsessed with magic. At my summer day camp, I saw there were magic electives. I never batted an eye at that before, but now I just had to be there. Everyone was given a simple popsicle stick, and the magician taught us how to make a simple dot of ink appear on the stick. It was crazy how something so simple brought me so much joy. I could not get over this trick, so on the bus ride to and from camp, all I would do was practice. As soon as I came home, I showed my family. I probably didn’t practice enough looking back, but just seeing their supportive faces made me double down on this path.

What goes into preparing a magic performance that an audience might not see?

The past seven years have all been building on each other. While no one needs seven years to become a professional, I know that, to this day, I still apply techniques and tricks that I learned five years ago. Everything in magic builds on itself. But realistically, whenever I have a gig or opportunity to perform, I always try to dedicate a week of time to practice roughly one to two hours a day on the material I will perform. I always perform in the mirror or on my iPhone camera to make sure my routines are just as precise as Shin Lim’s all those years ago.

What was it like performing for Lower School students during their Community Period?

Performing for the Lower School was one of my biggest highlights of the year. I always love to do birthday parties for children, but I had never before done a show so big for a crowd of that specific age group. It was amazing to see their reactions, but honestly, I was so nervous performing for my community, especially since children can tell if you’re nervous. I probably started practicing an extra week to ensure that I was truly confident in my performance, and I was so happy with how it turned out. I performed some of my favorite routines, and seeing the reactions from some of the children was the best.

What has magic taught you about how people learn, pay attention, and make meaning?

Over the years, my perspective has truly changed on what I view as a successful or master magician. While I could, and I do, spend hours upon hours a week practicing some truly knuckle-busting sleight of hand or routines, you cannot be a fantastic magician without the showmanship aspect. So, over the last few years, I have been truly making sure my shows are as entertaining and fun as they can be just by interacting with my audience. If I can make someone’s day with a simple conversation, not even thinking about the trick but using that as a way to get someone to open up, then I feel like I have made a difference. And I truly believe that those skills are more important to me than any routine I could build or learn in a book.

How has Friends given you opportunities to share this part of yourself with the community?

Whenever I am able to incorporate this part of myself into my community, I always give 110%. Whether that’s performing in a Lower School assembly, at Spring Fair, or in the Upper School Talent Show, I always feel like I’m able to use my skills as an entertainer to make sure that people are having a good time on any day, and that is when I believe I actually shine. Showing this side of myself is always my favorite time because of how passionate I am about magic, and this community gives me every opportunity to keep pursuing this passion.

What do you hope people experience when they watch you perform?

I just want everyone in my show to have a good time. I never want anyone to feel hurt after leaving my shows. I do my best to connect with my audience, even if they’re big crowds, so my most important goal is ensuring everyone is laughing, having a good time, and enjoying the illusions. Additionally, I would absolutely love to see the joy and wonder in people’s eyes when they see my magic. I once performed for a little girl where a deck of cards flew up to my hands. I’ve performed that trick many times, but that specific experience was even better. Immediately after making the deck levitate, her eyes lit up with awe. I could not describe that feeling, but it seriously just reminded me of myself all those years ago. I hope there are at least a few people who feel the same way after watching my magic.

Is there anything else you want people to know about your magic, your process, or what this work means to you?

If you ever see me around school, ask me to show you a magic trick. I’m almost always happy to perform, and if I’m busy at the moment, I’d still love to meet another time and show you something I’ve been working on. Honestly, though, I just love seeing cool things in general. Magic-related or not, come show me something interesting. Performing is fun, but magicians love methods even more, so I’m always happy to nerd out over the technical side of a trick too if anyone is interested.

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