|
|
|
|
Our newest group of Wiz Kids began forming in January, 2008. Wiz Kid Qua-Fiki (on the left) was first. His friend, who joined in February as Wiz Kid Marquise (on the right) noticed Qua-Fiki practicing on the unicycle and that got his interest.Our policy of "Each One Teach One" is seen at work in the photo. Qua-Fiki learned a sponge ball magic trick and mastered it within a few weeks. Now he, in turn, amazes Marquise with his skill before teaching him to perform the same trick. Since the boys attend different schools, there is no conflict in having them learn the same magic tricks. |
 |
 |
All Wiz Kids learn to juggle, beginning with the juggling scarves, which is the very first lesson. The next lessons will progress to juggling bean bags, rubber balls, plastic rings, and juggling clubs.All Wiz Kids learn to play a keyboard. They may also play other musical instruments and if so, are encouraged to bring them and use them as Wiz Kids. The music they play will be used to accompany a Wiz Kid produced show.All Wiz Kids are encouraged to learn to ride a unicycle. They learn to fall, pick themselves up and keep trying. It takes about a month of falling before they finally begin to ride. |
 |
 |
Since we are a performing arts group, all Wiz Kids need to have signed model releases so that we can photograph them and videotape their performances. Their photographs are used in publicity photos and will eventually appear in magazines and newspapers, as well as on the Internet, promoting the group and its activities.Videotapes are made of practices so the Wiz Kids can see themselves as others see them and can learn to improve their acting skills. They learn that they are actors playing the roles of magicians, clowns, escape artists and more. They are also ambassadors of good will to the places they visit and role models for other kids whenever they appear in public. |
Wiz Kids also learn to make their own props and take care of them. One of our rules is that a Wiz Kid never touches another Wiz Kid's props. When it is time for him to learn a new magic trick, he will be given everything he needs to make the props and perform with them.In the photo at the right, Wiz Kid Qua-Fiki prepares his napkin trick for performance. He must perform this trick three times in public shows, and then the Wiz Kids will vote to see if he is good enough to become an "official" Wiz Kid. At that time he will receive his Wiz Kid Shirt with his Wiz Kid name printed on it, and he may begin working on a new trick to master.Qua-Fiki chose his own Wiz Kid name. It's not his real name, but each Wiz Kid can choose to use his or her real first name or make up a special Wiz Kid name to use as an official Wiz Kid member. |
 |
 |
As mentioned above, all Wiz Kids learn to play the keyboard. Today is Qua-Fiki's first lesson. Wiz Kids learn to play with both hands right from the start, using special show music (Bossy Nova) composed by Jim Gerrish. This music allows a keyboard player to be able to play background accompaniment from Day One. This gives them the confidence to then proceed to a more difficult piece, and some even decide to learn to play the piano or organ as a result of this experience.Using the Wiz Kid method, Qua-Fiki learned his first piece by discovering the relationships between the keys. By the end of the lesson, he was given the written music and a marked keyboard so he could continue his studies at home... along with more magic, more juggling, etc. |