Magic Not a Lost Art for Diman Student

by Hina Naveed '08

Tyler Souza, 17, is a senior in Auto Mechanics at Diman. He began practicing magic tricks at the tender young age of ten. Tyler grew up in Fall River and attended Talbot Middle School. He chose to attend Diman because of his older brother, Mark (Class of '05), who has always been an influential figure in his life. I recently had a chance to sit down and converse with Tyler, a.k.a. "T.J." Souza, about his magical talents:

Q: How did you first become interested in magic?
A: Growing up, I watched David Copperfield and Lance Burton on T.V. I tried to figure out how they could do something I couldn't! I wanted to know how.

Q: Have you ever performed publicly?
A: Yes. When I went camping I set up in a pavilion and I did a free show for 20-30 little kids and their parents. I sometimes perform at parties for my parents' friends. I also do birthday parties, and anywhere else upon request.

Q: What is your favorite trick?
A: Psycho-kinesis, also known as PK magic. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's the movement of a physical object without any physical means (moving something without touching it). My favorite effect to do with PK magic is putting a half dollar in a spectator's hand and flipping it over without touching it, making a wooden match stand on end, and making a coin vanish without touching it.

Q: What is the most difficult trick you have ever performed and how long did it take you to perfect it?
A: My most difficult tricks are definitely my card tricks, because they are right in your face and the spectator can see everything I am doing, making the trick harder to conceal. I have yet to perfect it. being a close-up magician is the hardest magician you can be, because the spectators are so close up. If you mess up it's easily noticeable and embarrassing as well.

Q: How would you compare yourself to the all-time greats, like David Copperfield, Criss Angel, and David Blaine?
A: I wouldn't compare myself to David Copperfield or Criss Angel because both of them are stage musicians who do tricks away from people, or tell you to stay in one spot and walk away. David Blaine is a close-up magician, similar to what I do. He has extraordinary talent and I aspire to be like him.

Q: Why do you do magic?
A: I do magic because of the look on people's faces. When I perform a trick in front of a little kid, or anybody for that matter, the look they give me when they can't figure out what I am doing gives me an adrenaline rush. It makes all the hard work worth it. It is the greatest feeling I have ever experienced.

Q: What is next after you graduate?
A: After I graduate, I am going to Magic Academy in Hollywood, CA. I plan on perfecting my stage magic and doing more high-end tricks, for example, disappearing acts, major levitation, and conjuring.

Q: Do you have any advice for budding magicians?
A: Practice everything in front of a mirror; don't let anybody know the secret behind the tricks, not even your family. There are certain tricks where people in the audience can help, but give them as little information as possible. Keep the art of magic alive. People will want to know the secret behind the tricks, but if you give away the magic it will be lost. A good magician never reveals his secrets.