Today we’d like to introduce you to School Of Magic Arts Annie Montone And Brian Kehoe
Hi School of Magic Arts, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2014, my partner Brian Kehoe and I started working together. It began with Brian, who was a professional magician at the time, hiring me, a playwright, to help him with his magic act. From there, I fell in love with the form. We just kept working together, and eventually, we formed the magic team known as The Encounter. Our shows were a little different, we work in a genre called “narrative magic,” which we might have sort of made up. It’s a performance discipline that is kind of like “theater with magic” – full fledged theatrical productions that incorporate stage magic as an element of storytelling. We were also teaching private magic lessons during this time.
In 2017, Brian and I realized that there existed a need for a centralized place for students to grow and feel like they were part of a community, no matter what their age or level. To learn magic effects, and also the art of performing them. And so, in 2017, Baltimore Academy of Magic was born. Over time, BAM expands beyond the Baltimore area and evolves into School of Magic Arts. SOMA students come, through virtual lessons, from over a hundred cities across North America. Our goal is to teach, elevate, and share the art of stage magic with as many people as possible. As one of the only stage magic schools in the world, and possibly the only with a year-round, comprehensive curriculum, our community is growing every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In a way, SOMA would not exist without struggle. In January of 2020, The Encounter had booked almost a full year of performances. We were creating new shows, including a parlor show we were testing called “Harold and Franny,” and it was going to be “our year,” our time to really break out. Then, something happened in March that caused the entertainment community to collapse, I don’t remember what it was, maybe you do?
Anyway, at that point, we realized were were going to need to pivot to survive. We were already teaching magic lessons, so we thought maybe we could make a virtual curriculum that would serve students that had recently been displaced due to COVID. Turns out, virtual learning is EXCEPTIONAL for magic. Everyone can see the instructor’s hands clearly, there are fewer interruptions, it’s a safer space, and it’s better for students to practice. We never would have found this out if our world hadn’t fallen apart. Necessity is truly the mother of invention, at least it was for SOMA.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
School of Magic Arts is one of only two 365-day-a-year magic schools in the world. Our virtual classes and camps are attended by creative kids ages 9-17 from all over the United States. We also partner with local organizations in Baltimore to provide after school programming. Students who attend our school gain confidence to perform for their families and local communities.
The world around us is changing, and we believe magic needs to change, too. We believe that magic is strongest when it includes all gender identities, races, ethnicities, orientations, physical or mental abilities, and perspectives. At School of Magic Arts, we know that there is no one person that typifies “a magician.” We strive to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our students, families, and audiences. We believe that anyone who wants to perform magic should be able to do just that in a safe, empowering, and inclusive environment.
SOMA is a “student first” program. We honor and teach to our student’s unique abilities, interests, and learning styles. We are educators who believe that learning stage magic, as an art form, can boost life skills including focus, problem solving, public speaking, and communication, no matter a student’s age. We believe that teaching virtually allows us to not only teach to the group, but also one on one. Our exclusive, professionally designed curriculum is centered on inclusive, exciting magic that encourages discipline and is grounded in exploration.
How do you think about luck?
Asking magicians if luck plays a role in their success is kind of like asking chefs if food is important to what they do. We rely on luck every single day. We are lucky when our tricks work, when our audience is amazed, when our clients are happy. On closer reflection, though, we are lucky beyond just misdirection.
Brian and I are best friends, and we have been for years. At this point, we are chosen family. It was our good luck to have met at the time we did, and the love and affection that we have towards one another, that has let us go on this incredible journey together. Our act, our school, our company, is all based on our mutual respect and deep friendship. If that’s not lucky, I don’t know what is!
Pricing:
- $645 per semester
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.schoolofmagicarts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolofmagicarts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchoolofMagicArts/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@schoolofmagicarts
- Other: https://www.hisawyer.com/providers/school-of-magic-arts#provider-reviews-section
