The Magicians and Mystics of MAGiConMINI

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Paul Draper is a world-renowned mentalist, comedy presenter, and keynote speaker who has captivated audiences from the United Nations to Apple, Cambridge to Yale, and Hollywood to Broadway. With appearances on the History Channel, HBO, A&E, TNT, Hallmark, and Travel Channel, Draper has been featured on Hell’s Kitchen, Pawn Stars, Ghost Adventures, Mindfreak, and House Hunters. He was a recent guest star on “Inside the NBA” with Shaq and Charles Barkley—seen live by over 10 million viewers!

As an expert in magic, psychology, and human consciousness, Draper has worked alongside legendary figures like David Copperfield, Lance Burton, and Teller of Penn & Teller. He has headlined top venues, including The Magic Castle in Hollywood, The Magic Circle in London, and major Las Vegas casinos like The Venetian, Orleans, and Planet Hollywood.

Beyond his work in entertainment Draper is a sought-after speaker on topics including leadership, communication, and the psychology of influence. His corporate clients include Lockheed Martin, Meta, Bentley, Oracle, Adobe, and the American Psychological Association. As a live interviewer, he has engaged major film and television stars before audiences of thousands at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention over the past decade.

A trained anthropologist and active member of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, Draper explores diverse cultural expressions of belief, ritual, and consciousness. His studies have engaged with Native American ceremonial practices, Spiritualist traditions, and Indigenous South American ceremonial cannibalism, weaving together cultural understanding with the arts of ritual and illusion.

From boardrooms to theaters, Draper delivers unforgettable experiences that leave audiences amazed, inspired, and talking about the event long after it ends.

Sean Ridgeway is a multi-award-winning entertainer who has brought his unique blend of comedy and magic to thousands of audiences nationwide. His one-man show, "Catch Me If You Can", has garnered rave reviews from colleges, cruise ships, comedy clubs, companies and theaters across the country.

Sean started magic at age 10, and began performing professionally only a few years later. He spent his college years honing his craft and comedic timing in theaters and comedy clubs, then started designing his own original material soon after. Along the way, he also picked up ventriloquism and pickpocketing. When not performing, he creates magic tricks for other magicians, lectures and does consulting work.

Sean has competed in FISM (the world championships of magic) and has been featured on season 7 of America's Got Talent and season 10 of Penn and Teller: Fool Us. In 2023, he also completed a 365 Days of Magic challenge on YouTube, where he uploaded an original creation every single day for the entire year.

World-renowned magician, consultant, creator, and educator, Dan Harlan stands as one of the most influential figures in modern magic. With a career spanning decades, Harlan has been the mind behind some of the most iconic moments in magic and entertainment. Having consulted for the likes of David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, Keith Barry, Dynamo, Jeff McBride, and Kevin James, his work has shaped the magic seen on major television networks like MTV, CBS, Discovery, and The CW.

Harlan’s contributions to the art of magic are unparalleled—he is widely recognized as the creator of numerous revolutionary effects, and has taught and created more magic than any magician in history. His inventive approach to the craft has earned him the title of one of the most innovative magicians of his time. A master of both performance and instruction, Harlan is famously the only magician to have performed every single trick in The Complete Tarbell Course in Magic, a monumental feat that showcases his deep mastery of the art.

In addition to his extensive work as a consultant and creator, Harlan is also among the select few magicians who have managed to fool Penn & Teller, solidifying his reputation as one of magic’s elite minds. Whether performing, lecturing, consulting, or crafting new illusions, Dan Harlan continues to inspire and shape the future of magic, maintaining his position as a central figure in both its evolution and its preservation. 

Kevin Reylek has been studying the art of magic and honing his craft since he was 8 years old. A North Carolina native, Kevin has a laid-back and conversational performance style with a storytelling-based approach to his magic & mentalism. In addition to being a performer, he is also a sought-after consultant, art director, and producer.

Kevin’s passion for the art has brought him all over the country - performing in Hollywood, Las Vegas, and New York City. He performs for corporate & private events, weddings, and public shows. He has even performed for celebrities such as Bryce Young, Andrei Svechnikov, Spike Lee, and Eva Longoria. Most recently, you may have seen Kevin performing for the Carolina Panthers. And at MAGiCon, you can see Kevin’s incredible magic as one of the founding members of Carolina Conjurers!

Kevin has also worked for many years as a playing card producer & art director. He produced the world's first left-handed Bicycle deck in 2009 and in the past 16 years has been involved with the production & sale of hundreds of designs with over 1 million decks sold worldwide. Decks he has been involved with include NOC, Bicycle Elite, Honeybee, Emperor, and many more. He currently works for Penguin Magic as a Production Manager, overseeing the design & production of cards, packaging, and magic books.

Originally from New York, Wayne Haarhaus became seriously interested in magic when he stumbled upon the magic section of his local library. As a teenager, he was a member of FAME (Future American Magical Entertainers) which was a pioneering organization in the magic field for adolescents that existed in NYC. He appeared on the reality show “It Takes a Thief” when they were searching for a magician's home to rob. As a speech therapist, Wayne used his magic to not only entertain, but to help his students improve their speech and language skills. 

Wayne now lives in Durham,  NC. He continues to share his magical mayhem, performing shows in the research triangle as a founding member of the Carolina Conjurers, and teaching magic through Maximum Magic Academy. We are thrilled to have him teaching many of our MAGiCon Classes!

Kevin Burke is a retired Las Vegas headliner who was voted Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year in 2008. He is also a circus performer who toured with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  Along with Kevin Reylek and Wayne Haarhaus, Kevin is a founding member of the Carolina Conjurers.

Kevin has been performing as a Comedy Mentalist as far back as the time when the prevailing opinion was “Comedy and Mentalism can’t go together.” You’ve seen Kevin on the Oprah Show, CBS Morning News with Maria Shriver, and on America’s Funniest People where he won the $10,000 grand prize. 

Kevin plans to wait until he’s 70 to take a run at America’s Got Talent. They like cranky old men on that show.

With over 30 years of performing magic and improvisation, Tim Dumas is a seasoned entertainer and a dynamic creative force. As a performing magician, he has captivated audiences for decades, combining storytelling, humor, and skill to create unforgettable experiences. His versatility extends into children’s entertainment as "Juggles the Magic Clown," where he delights young audiences with his comedic juggling and magic routines.

An accomplished stand-up comedian and corporate keynote speaker, Tim boasts over 20 years of NSA membership and extensive experience inspiring audiences with engaging talks that blend humor, magic, and improvisation. His three decades of improvisational acting and teaching have honed his ability to foster spontaneity, creativity, and quick-thinking—skills he shares to help performers and professionals elevate their craft.

Now based in North Carolina but with roots in NYC, Tim was a member of the influential improv group Artistic New Direction, where he developed his unique approach to blending improv, acting, and teaching. His broad experience and innovative approach make him an excellent guide for exploring how improvisation can inject new energy and creativity into magic and performance.

Michael Bloemeke is a professional magician specializing in both close-up and stage magic. With over a decade of experience, Michael creates unforgettable moments through internationally recognized comedy and skill. His performances are known for being engaging, fun, and amazing—a perfect fit for corporate events, private parties, and upscale gatherings. 

Each show is as engaging as it is amazing, bringing the guests into the magic. Whether intimate close-up or a grand stage, Michael makes you the star of the show.

Michael has been recognized by some of the most prestigious organizations in magic, including:

International Brotherhood of Magicians - Close-Up Champion & People’s Choice Award

FISM - North American representative at the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy

"Masters of Magic" - degree from the exclusive, invite-only 4F Convention

Driven by a commitment to excellence, Michael continually sharpens his craft to deliver the best possible experience for every audience! You may have seen him on the CW’s “Masters of Illusion,” and now, you can see him in-person at MAGiConMINI!

MaryAnne is a seasoned tarot reader with 20 years of experience in communicating through the art of Tarot. She offers workshops that help you connect with your inner archetype, personal potential, and power, as well as the universe. Using the Major Arcana portion of a tarot deck, MaryAnne expertly teaches how to interpret symbols, create meaning in daily interactions, as well as shed light onto your path forward. 

An accomplished magician armed with a doctorate in education, MaryAnne is an expert magical educator, teaching many of our MAGiCon Classes.

Multi-International

Award-Winning Magician

Colin Eleazer is always the life of the party. He began performing at the age of 6, as a Cub Scout, and by the age of 8 was appearing in Las Vegas. Since then, he has gone on to perform across the United States and win International and Regional Competitions with his unique approach to magic! His awards include the 2019 International Brotherhood Of Magicians Youth Stage Champion in Scottsdale, AZ, First Place at the 2020 Winter Carnival Of Magic’s Stage competition in Pigeon Forge, TN, the 2020 Merlin Award for best youth stage magician presented at the amazing home and attraction of his friend and mentor Terry Evanswood in Sevierville, TN, the 2023 Adele Friel Rhindress plaque for representing the Art and History of the Magic Artform in Pittsburgh, PA and the 2024 2nd place award winner in the Spring Wizard Wars competition from American Magic Academy.

Colin is a member of The Society Of American Magicians (S.A.M.), The International Magicians Society (IMS), The International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), The Junior Society of the American Magic Academy at the Magic Castle, as well as Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM).  Colin is also a member of KIDabra  (The Association of KIDshow and Family Performers).

When Mr. Fantastic is not donned in his super-hero boredom-fighting magician disguise, he is known as Michael Robert Douglas-Mathenge. Michael was born in Portland, Oregon where his love of magic also began. He was seven years old when his mother bought him a magic kit for Christmas. The collection of tricks in this kit got him started in entertaining others with magic. Magic performances at school assemblies, on television, and elsewhere stimulated his persuit of magic.

He found a magic shop in Portland when he was age 11. This inspired him to take group and private magic lessons to enhance his skills at entertaining with magic. This added to his success at performing magic for classmates, retirement communities, and school talent shows. By age 14 he had performed his first paid magic show.

Today, Michael’s career as a magician has grown to include weekly paid performances at family events, corporate events, and restaurants. In addition to his career in magic, Michael also works with his wife at teaching Salsa dance lessons and promoting Latin dance events. 

SarahElla Phant is a multifaceted creator, author, artist, magician, and psychology researcher with a passion for mnemonics and magic. A recent graduate of Meredith College with honors, SarahElla earned a double major in Music and Psychology and a minor in Theatre. As a psychology researcher, much of SarahElla’s work has focused on the intersection of magic and memory, including a fascinating study on using magic to create Flashbulb Memories. SarahElla has also been recognized with Meredith College’s top leadership awards, including the Impact Award and Leader of the Year Award.

As an author, SarahElla co-authored The Memory Arts and The Memory Arts Expansion Packs, and more recently released the 3 Fundamentals of Mnemonics eBook series, teaching valuable memory techniques to magicians and enthusiasts alike.

For nearly a decade, SarahElla has served as president of the Raleigh Magic Club, where she played an integral role in founding S.A.M. Assembly 199. Together with her husband, Dan Harlan, she co-founded The Mystic Tower and co-hosts MAGiCon, an annual convention for magicians and magic enthusiasts. While SarahElla won’t be performing on stage at this year’s MAGiCon, her behind-the-scenes contributions are vital to the event's success.

Now that she has graduated, SarahElla is focused on lecturing, teaching, and performing a wide range of magic. She lives just outside of Raleigh, NC, with Dan, her daughter, and an ever-growing menagerie of pets.