Dear friends:
Our guest author this month is Lynn Miner. Many of you know him already, but for those who don’t, we are extremely happy to have him with us. Lynn has been the driving force behind our efforts to form a non-profit “Institute for Magic Education,†which will help us raise funding for more scholarships, and for several new forms of outreach to the wider community, and for other magicians around the world. It will serve as a kind of magic service organization which will help magicians everywhere reach out to serve the communities in which they live. Lynn will be President and Director of Development for the new organization. I know you will, as we do, find Lynn to be a wonderful addition to the team.
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From Dr. Lynn Miner:
As a former university professor and graduate school dean who is now heavily involved in the Mystery School, I know a “School†when I see one. I look at four features: the faculty, the curricula, the dissemination strategies, and the students.
The core teaching faculty at the McBride Magic & Mystery School – Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Larry Hass, Tobias Beckwith, Bryce Kuhlman, and Abigail McBride – have a cumulative 223 years of experience in magic. They’ve published 17 books and 33 DVDs, plus numerous articles and magic effects. Their bookcases are out of shelf space housing domestic and international awards. They practice what they teach by performing in all kinds of venues, ranging from stage, parlor, close-up, street, and television.
This is not your “I’ll send you a great DVD and you can call me with questions†pedagogy. No siree. The Mystery School has a solid curricula of nine established courses, conferences, and seminars:
These nine classes are offered on a regular schedule. In addition, special topics courses are offered periodically, such as Building Your Business as a Magician (how to get your career in gear) and Mask, Mime and Magic. All classes are taught by our team of experienced core faculty who provide extensive individual attention and coaching. What students learn is a strategic blend of theory and practice. You are encouraged (but not required to) present your own ten minute act, which is videotaped and then critiqued by the Mystery School Faculty. Where else can you gain the constructive critique of world-class professionals in a safe, non-threatening environment? It doesn’t matter where you are in your magic career – novice, amateur, part-time professional, or full time pro—the Mystery School will take you to the next level – and beyond.
The Mystery School recognizes that its students of all ages have different learning styles and available time to refine their magic skills. Accordingly, the Mystery School disseminates its vast reservoir of magic knowledge in multiple formats.
Beyond the regularly scheduled classes (listed above), individualized training is available in person or online. Additionally, a one-hour TV program is presented every Monday night at 7:00pm (PST). Further, bi-weekly Museletters (electronic Magic Newsletters) keep magicians up-to-date on the latest trends and happening in the field.
The success of students is the ultimate litmus test of the quality of any school. The Mystery School shines in this department.
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Mat Franco: 2014 AGT Winner
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Recent students have fooled Penn and Teller and won America’s Got Talent. They’ve performed at the world prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood. In sum, over 15,000 students from the U.S. and 34 different countries have seen the Mystery School transform their magic – and their life. We continually ask our students about their experiences at the Mystery School: “What did you get out of your Mystery School experience?†|
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Penn and Teller: Fool Us TV Show
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Student answers cluster into five categories.
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Suzanne Fooled Penn & Teller and Performed at World Famous Magic Castle
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While people attend the Mystery School for many different reasons, the one constant outcome is change–personally and professionally.
This has been the constant mission of the McBride Magic & Mystery School since 1991, namely, to deliver a transformative magic education experience in a safe environment that fosters discovery, achievement, and serious play. In essence, the Mystery School can transform your magic and your life. |
Some students are financially postured to underwrite their Mystery School tuition and travel expenses. Other students find the total expenses are beyond their financial boundaries. Accordingly, they apply for need-based scholarships to help underwrite their total school expenses.
Scholarship application forms are available at http://www.magicalwisdom.com/scholarships. To date, over $30,000 scholarship dollars have been awarded to students experiencing financial need.
If you have questions about Mystery School classes or scholarship, feel free to contact me at Lynn@McBrideMagic.com. As Director of Development at the Mystery School, my role is to serve as a facilitator between you and the School. How can I help you right now?
At present, the majority of the scholarship funding comes from the annual membership subscriptions and donations to the McBride Magic & Mystery School. While those funds are most welcomed and appreciated, indeed needed, they have not kept pace with the growing requests for scholarship support. We are experiencing a spiraling gap between our requests for financial support and our available resources to honor those requests. As a result, we will soon be launching a new initiative to strengthen our financial footing. But you can help – NOW.
Whether it comes to booking gigs or raising philanthropic dollars, developing networks and linkages are key. You can help the Mystery School systematically expanding by suggesting referrals. Who do you know that might share our “values glasses?†Call me (Lynn Miner) at 414-352-9312 or email me at Lynn@McBrideMagic.com
Quite simply, your help is needed to create even more magic educational options and opportunities for performing artists of all ages. Fortunately, there are endless big and small ways you can help. There is literally a job for everyone. The McBride Magic & Mystery School has come a long way in the last twenty-five years and we thank you for joining us in this unrivaled cause.
P.S. My answer to the headline question: “Yes, because of its faculty, curricula, dissemination strategies, and students, the McBride Magic & Mystery School is THE premiere Magic School in the world.”
