Michael Ammar

Michael Ammar is one of America's best-known close-up magicians, and is famous within the worldwide magical community.

His interest in magic began when he read a comic book and noticed an advertisement which read "500 tricks for 25 cents!". Ammar sent his quarter and received a catalog. He began ordering tricks and practicing. Before long, he had a full magic show, complete with doves and a teenage assistant. The community, small as it was, supported him and booked him for local shows for schools and birthdays.

He began to publish his ideas in the early 1980s, and performed for Johnny Carson, as well as at the Magic Castle.

In 1983, Ammar entered the FISM magic competition and was awarded the Gold Medal for Close-Up Magic. In doing so, he became the second American in the history of the competition to do so. After winning at FISM, Ammar traveled west and became friends with the great Dai Vernon who became Ammar's mentor throughout the following years.

He has produced over forty video titles, also books and magazines. In 1999 The Magic Magazine named him one of 100 most influential magicians of the century.

For more information about Michael Ammar, please visit www.michaelammar.com

Magic Mike Segal

Magic Mike is the founder and Camp Director. He is a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. The Magic Circle, Britain's premier magical society, boasts an impeccable reputation gained through the extraordinary achievements of its members throughout its century of existence.

Magic Mike is a BFA (theatre) graduate from York University and a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians, Society of American Magicians, ACTRA, and the Canadian Associations of Magicians. Specializing in consultation and choreography, Magic Mike has to his credit, numerous live theatrical and industrial productions, movies, television programs, commercials, music videos and has worked with industry personalities such as Siegfried & Roy, John Woo, Dolph Lungren and Richard Dreyfus. Additionally, Magic Mike heads up  a magic program for Toronto area School Boards.

Magic Mike has twenty years of experience and over 1000 performances all over the world to his credit.

Read more about Mike at www.Magic-Mike.com

Jennifer Segal

Jennifer Segal (she goes by Jen) has been working full time at Sorcerers Safari with Magic Mike (her spouse) for the past four years and part time since the beginning. As well as running the day to day business of a camp she spends her time booking birthday parties, Christmas shows and special events for Magic Mike and other entertainers, including jugglers, hypnotists, mimes and clowns.

Jen has had the pleasure of working with some incredible magicians from all over the US and Canada. She looks forward to spending time with her counselors and campers at both March Break and summer camp.

Steven Kline

Steven hails from Columbus, Ohio and has been performing magic professionally for over nine years. Read more about Steven at www.stevenkline.com

Christina Galonska

Christina had the pleasure of meeting Jen and Magic Mike 9 years ago.

Two years into their friendship she finally made it up to Sorcerers to see what all the fuss was about, ever since then she hasn’t missed a year. “It is without a doubt the best experience I have had at a camp. The instructors, special guests and campers are all so wonderful. It truly is a very magical place I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” comments Christina.

Christina is in her 12th year working full time in advertising sales at the National Post in downtown Toronto.

Lee Asher
 

Lee Asher, at the age of 32, has become one of the most notorious "Underground" magicians of today. His experience includes restaurants, High-roller suites, private parties, weddings, trade-shows and much more.

He has lectured at many worldwide venues including Paris, New York, Copenhagen, Berlin, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Glasgow, London, Tel-Aviv, Hong Kong, Vienna - and the list goes on.

He was also the "strolling" magician at Caesar's Magical Empire in Las Vegas when it first opened 1996. His television credits include the Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and World's Greatest Magic III.

Lee was the International Brotherhood of Magicians Close-up Champion for 1991 and 1992. He has been published in magazines such as Trapdoor, The Magic Circular, Channel One, The Penumbra, Apocalypse, Labyrinth and Genii.

This will be Lee's 8th year with camp. For more information on Lee please visit  www.LeeAsher.com

Kristin Allen

Kristin is a high school teacher and she always looks forward to spending the last week of summer vacation at Sorcerers Safari.  She is excited to be returning to camp as head councilor  This is Kristin's seventh year at camp. She's looking forward to seeing all the campers again and being wowed with their magic.

Brad Allen

Hi! My name is Brad.  I first came to Sorcerers Safari as a camper when I was 12 and have been there every year since.  It's been a great learning experience for me, helping me with self-confidence and the ability to present in front of a large audience.  Now I am 22 and study Environmental Science at the University of Toronto.  I can't wait to watch this year's new campers become captivated by this magical experience, as I still am.  I look forward to meeting with all of you!

Cameron the Magnificent has a flexible and diverse performance style. It is evident in his extensive performance history. He has been hired for kid's parties, corporate events and informal settings as a walk around magician. His stage act displays a unique blend of magic, music and comedy. Tricks include an array of components, including silks, levitating objects, sleight of hand and numerous classic magic tricks.

Marc Chalmers

Marc Chalmers has been studying the art of magic since the age of eight and 2006 will mark his 7th year at the Sorcerers Safari. He has performed in restaurants and bars for the past 13 years and has a large stage show that tours Southern Ontario. When not performing, Marc enjoys traveling the world and swimming.

Dustin Crispo

From camper to counselor, Dustin Crispo has been attending Sorcerers Safari for over 6 years. He has been a counselor for 2 years and can't wait to make his third appearance. He was the winner of the first ever Canadian Magic Close-Up Competition at the ripe age of 17.
 

Dustin is currently going into his final year at McMaster University, studying Physics and Math and hopes to become a high school teacher.

Phil Dacosta

School teacher by day, magician by night.

Phil has been into magic for roughly 3 years now.  Always willing to learn new things and meet new people. He is eagerly anticipating his first year as a counselor at Sorcerers Safari.

Craig Douglas

Craig Douglas has been performing professionally as a comedian and juggler for more than 15 years. He has thrilled audiences from Vancouver to Halifax, from the Caribbean to Europe with his high-energy comic juggling show. Bowling balls fly, machetes whirl, and torches blaze. Craig has appeared nationally on The Comedy Network and CBC Television. As an instructor Craig has lead workshops for kids and adults in Canada and Switzerland. Visit Craig at www.comicjuggler.com

Janice Douglas

Although Janice Biehn has seen hundreds of magic shows — from birthday parties to cruise ships — for the past 20 years she has worked as a professional writer. She is currently editor of The Health Journal.

Mike D'Urzo

Mike D'Urzo has had a passion for magic and the performing arts since the age of 8. Mike has performed at virtually every type of event and his interests include both stage and close- up magic. As a competitive skater, he has placed first in several provincial championships and has performed in numerous televised ice shows. He is currently in his 4th year at York University for Communications and recently started working with Columbia Pictures, marketing new movies across Canada.

Aaron Fisher

I know that people love to laugh, and more than that, they love to laugh together. I first learned this secret performing sleight of hand magic at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. I was 17.

I know the people love special occasions – those moments that make us remember how much fun life can be. I discovered this when I was 21, performing at Caesar’s Palace and other Las Vegas Hotels. That’s where I really learned how to help people celebrate. It was my job to give my guests enough memories in one night to last

a lifetime. I hope to share this excitement with the campers this year. For more information about Aaron Fisher please click here.

Greg Frewin

Greg earned his title by winning first place in all of the World's top magic competitions, a feat that has never been duplicated by any magician. He has appeared on the World's top stages such as The Flamingo Hilton, Caesar's Palace and the Tropicana in Las Vegas, The Crystal Palace Casino in Nassau, Bahamas and has been featured in over 35 TV specials around the world. For info about Greg Frewin  -- Click here -- 

Alan Grose

Al Grose is an award-winning close-up Magician.  In 2001 Al took 1st Place in Close-Up Magic at the International Battle of Magicians in Canton Ohio. In 2005 Al took 3rd Place in Close-Up Magic at the Magi-Fest Close-Up competition in Columbus Ohio.  Al works steadily at 2 restaurants weekly performing magic for Patrons.  When Al is not teaching or performing magic, Al is a Police Officer and has been an Officer for the last 17 years.  Al presently teaches Defensive Tactics to Police Officers at his home Police Department.  Prior to that, Al was teaching Defensive Tactics and Officer Safety at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer Ontario.  This will be Al's 9th year at the camp.

Scotty Hammell

Scott Hammell is an Aquarius. When Scott isn't busy with his two successful businesses, he spends most of his time enjoying music, movies, friends and family. 

Scott Hammell has been running his two businesses Trickster Syndicate for over six years now. Soctt Hammell performs magic, juggling and escapes, and holds a Guinness World Record. Scott is one of the originals of Sorcerers Safari Summer Camp.

Kristi Heath

Kristi Heath has been a professional performer since the age of eighteen, beginning her career with the Second City comedy revue company.  She was soon combining her background in comedy and theatre with the skills of stilt dancing, juggling and unicycling. Check out her website at www.buskerfly.com

Jeff Hinchliffe

Jeff Hinchliffe is going to be at Sorcerer's Safari for his fourth year this summer. Jeff specializes in cards and has been involved in magic for 9 years. He has even developed several original creations, and given his own lecture last winter in Toronto. Jeff is also a restaurant worker, and loves helping a fellow magi with a new card trick! Check out his website at http://www.jhmagic.com

Wayne Houchin

He was hired as a consultant on the hit national television series "Criss Angel: Mindfreak." Two years before he released the groundbreaking DVD "Stigmata" which garnered widespread critical acclaim within the magic community and became an instant international bestseller. And if you ask Wayne, this is just the beginning.

Houchin came on board the Angel crew, and agreed to allow a few of his original pieces of magic to be performed on the show and subsequently shot a DVD teaching how to perform his impromptu  signed quarter through soda can, "Sinful," with Angel. The DVD was an instant hit and was hailed largely as one of the best impromptu effects ever created.

For more information about Wayne Houchin, please visit www.WayneHoucin.com

Joshua Jay

Joshua Jay has made numerous television appearances and has been a headline performer and lecturer in over 40 countries. He routinely performs for distinguished politicians and major celebrities and is a headliner at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood. He is the author of two best-selling books on magic (his first is published in five languages), and has produced a series of top-selling instructional DVDs for magicians. In 1998, he was crowned champion at the World Magic Seminar. Joshua is a monthly columnist for MAGIC, the world’s largest magazine for magicians.

Joshua also acts as magic consultant for several multi-national toy manufacturers (most recently for Marvel Comics) and has helped design many of the magic sets on toy store shelves.

For more information about Josh Jay - please visit www.JoshuaJay.com

Dick Joiner

With his infectious hysterical laugh, fun-loving zany manner and high paced interactive comedy magic, Dick Joiner delights and astounds audiences on land, sea, and air (television), throughout Canada, the U. S. A., and Europe. This is Dick's third visit to Sorcerers Safari Camp.
Visit Dick's site by clicking on this link ----> www.dickjoiner.com

Carey Lauder

Carey returns for his 8th Sorcerer's Safari. A commercial photographer in Winnipeg, he has been involved in magic for 13 years and is co-leader of Assembly # 46 of the Society of Young Magicians in Manitoba. In addition to teaching workshops he also manages to find time to photograph the week's magic activities. Look for your photo on the web site.

Dan McLean Jr

Dan's been doing volunteer work with children, young adults & adults for about 30 years,
and since 2000, has been facilitating a support group at The Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health in Toronto.

Dan's career is in live-event audio, he's a performing musician (his first CD will be out
just before summer camp), he has a Web site dedicated to helping magicians with "stage
technology" (www.MagicRoadie.com), he wrote a regular article for "Street Magic
Magazine", and his first trick will be published soon. "Amazing" Dan has been at The
Safari every year since 2002!

Jason Tang

Jason has been involved with the Sorcerers Safari since 2001. He likes to dabble in card magic.

Greg Tarlin

Greg Tarlin is a professional juggler with an impressive list of skills that helped him win the title of Canadian Juggling Champion.  He juggles seven balls, five clubs, hats, machetes, torches and almost anything else thrown his way.  As well, he does amazing tricks with hats, yo yos, unicycle and stilts.  Check out his website at www.notbadatall.com

Ben Train

Excited to return to camp for his SIXTH summer, Ben Train is looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, and finally figuring out how the kids know which one of the twenty-one cards he's thinking of.

When he's not being bamboozled, Ben spends his time studying business at York University, and organizing lecture tours for magicians all over North America.

His Favorite color is blue (his mom says it brings out his eyes), his favorite card is the Five of Diamonds, and his favorite place is Sorcerer's Summer Safari!

Sammy Segal

Samantha Segal started out as a camper 11 years ago and has attended every year since.  Although she is not a magician she loves her camp experience. Samantha was a CIT last year for Amy's cabin and is very excited to have her own cabin this year.

Amy Umpleby

Hi my name is Amy, and I am 22 years old. I have been a camp councilor for Sorcerers Safari magic camp for five years now and every year seems to be better than the last. I am an enthusiastic fan of magic; however I do not practice it myself. I am a student at the University of Toronto studying Political science, Sociology, and History- in my final year of study. In my spare time, I like to play baseball, and spend time with my friends.