to make magic my lifelong career. Because of the Juniors I have never had a real ‘job,’ I get to do card-tricks for a living, and as a full-time trade-show magician I can attest that it’s true: ‘Do what you really love, and you will never work a day in your life.’ Thank you, Diana Zimmerman, Bob Dorian, Jeff Semmel, James Starr, and to all the sponsors and committee members who served before me. I owe my magic career to you. Thank you for fanning my flame.”

Eric Elkaim was also an early member of the program. As Diana states, “I knew whatever path Eric chose, he would be successful. When he was just fourteen, he called a local TV talk show and somehow managed to get the producer on the phone, telling him that he should do a program on the Magic Castle Juniors. The man loved the idea and produced a segment featuring Eric and some of the other kids.” Today, Eric owns L.A. PartyWorks , the largest party company in California, and books dozens of magicians for his often-massive events.

“Diana and the Magic Castle Junior Program,” he insists, “gave this young mischievous kid the discipline, skills, communication, and tools to succeed. I

"it was a powerful oxidizer poured out on and already passionate fLAMe for the art of astonishment." - Scott Tokar

young to join the Junior group; and author/ magician/teacher, Peter McCabe. Plus, two AMA Board of Trustees, former Junior member extraordinaire, Christopher Hart, and the incomparable, David Kovac, also attend each monthly meeting. Their experience and wisdom are priceless.

Eric Elkaim

Having grown up in the program, Scott Tokar, founder of Corporate-Fx, a leading corporate communications agency, brings his incredible wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the program, stating: “Exposure, experience, and opportunity—the Magic Castle Juniors didn’t spark my initial interest in magic. However, it was a powerful oxidizer poured out on an already passionate flame for the art of astonishment.”

Scott goes on to say, “Through real-life exposure to professional magicians who make their living in the art, I was privileged to see that I can do that too. Through the experience of performing at Castle brunches and Future Stars weeks, I built the confidence and polish

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Dai Vernon Foundation cholarships at the Magic Castle with Dave Eagan photo by Scott Tokar.

Jason Latimer credit my personal and professional success to the foundation I was given, and I am truly grateful.” Eric is also a major doner to the Junior ’s new non-profit foundation. (GVAEF.org)

Day Mori, the 2024 recipient of the AMA’s Junior Achievement Award , had an extremely difficult childhood. He spent much of his teenage years living in a shelter for abused kids. “ The Magic Castle Junior Program didn’t just change my life,” he passionately states. “It gave me one! It gave me friends who became my family, a career I could only dream about, and, most importantly , it helped me love and accept every part of myself that once made me feel different.” Today, he’s not only a rising star in magic, but an actor and musician. Day also devotes a great deal of his time to helping other kids who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

“ The single most important aspect of the program,” Diana states, “is the extreme growth in confidence and character we see in our members. Many of them come into the program very shy and insecure, some even troubled. By the time they turn 21, and become a Regular Member of the Castle, they leave knowing that they can accomplish virtually anything. Magic, after all, teaches us that we can create the impossible. And what is ‘impossible,’ but I-m-possible! The skills they learn are their foundation, not their ceiling… a foundation that they can use in every aspect of their lives, regardless of what profession they choose.”

Former Magic Castle Junior and FISM Grand Prix winner, Jason Day Mori

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Junior meeting at Brookledge

Juniors, and the Moments of Magic shows at the Mayfair Music Hall and the Variety Arts Theater. We were all gifted with extraordinary talent and had the good fortune to be in an environment where it could blossom and thrive.” And blossom Jay, and so many other former members, have certainly done.

Keane Smith auditioned and was accepted into the program in 2024. As one of the programs newest rising stars, he has this to say: “ The Juniors Program has given me so many amazing opportunities: to realize my dream of performing; to meet like-minded friends and mentors who give me great feedback; and, most of all, to experience the results of BEING PERSISTENT and what it has done for me in all areas of my life.”

Latimer, whose nation-wide Impossible Science program is changing the lives of millions of students by using his special brand of magical thinking to ignite S.T.E.M. learning, sums up the program perfectly: “ The Magic Castle Junior program gave me an extraordinary foundation to advance, not just my magic, but my self-confidence and life-skills. It also gave me the opportunity to connect with highend leaders, both in and out of magic, and learn much more than just another trick, but real-life business, performance, branding, and production skills.”

For 50 years, the Magic Castle Junior Program has been changing the world for thousands of kids. Today, it’s reach is greater than ever, helping entirely new generations of global young performers become more confident, skilled, and successful. A huge thank you to Diana for your persistence, to Steve and David for your innovation, and to all those involved with the program for unselfishly giving of your time and wisdom. Your special kind of mindboggling magical thinking continues to change lives!

Greg Shane, another remarkable former Junior member has this to say: “ The Junior Program played a significant role in building my self-confidence and helping me discover my passion for magic and the arts. It encouraged my creativity in a supportive and nurturing environment.” With an MA in Educational Theater from NYU’s Steinberg School, Greg travels the world bringing Arts Therapy Programs to at-risk youth, military veterans, prisoners, mentally challenged individuals, the homeless, and the visually impaired. He also runs the extraordinary non-profit Theater By The Blind in Los Angles.

Jason’s sentiment is echoed over and over again by both current and former members…

Yet another FISM winner, Jay Scott Berry, was also a Junior member. “Johnny Thompson (1934-2019) first told me about the Magic Castle,” he explains, “and encouraged me to move from Reno to Hollywood. Jules Lenier (1929-2007) twisted my arm to join the Juniors. But it was the faith Diana Zimmerman, Peter Pit (1933-1999) and Bill Larsen (1928- 1993) placed in me that enabled me to perform a week in the Palace, even though I was not yet 21. Overall, my best memories revolve around the comradery with other talented

Jay Scott Berry

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