We have an amazing line-up of talent for MAGiCon2026!

Dan Sperry has toured the world headlining with his own shows, starring in numerous productions and viral appearances on television.  

He will be showcasing some of his most infamous acts throughout his career along with presenting his "kid show lecture" and for the first (and perhaps only) time offering an exclusive workshop further exploring his creative process with deep dives on routines such as Hippity Hop Rabbits, Russian Roulette, Ring Flight, Razor Blades and more... Dan Sperry's "Magic Outside the Box, Making Your Magic...Yours" will include a set of special notes only available to the 13 lucky workshop attendees.  

Get excited, it's about to get weird. 

John B. Midgley is a professional magician, artist, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who brings a rare and powerful blend of performance expertise and deep understanding of human behavior to the art of magic.  

He is the 108th Past National President of the Society of American Magicians and a resident performer at Nashville’s renowned House of Cards, where he performs regularly for both intimate audiences and high-profile guests. Known for his engaging close-up magic, psychological effects, and warm, interactive style, John specializes in turning real-world human dynamics into moments of astonishment.  

In addition to his work as a magician, John is a practicing psychotherapist and behavioral health program manager with over 20 years of experience in crisis intervention, assessment, and human psychology. This unique background allows him to approach magic through the lens of perception, communication, influence, and emotional intelligence — offering performers practical insights into reading spectators, managing challenging interactions, and creating stronger emotional connections through performance.  

John’s lectures and performances are known for being both highly practical and deeply human, blending strong magic with real-world strategies for understanding people, handling difficult spectators, and creating moments of genuine connection and wonder.

Hawley Magic are internationally renowned illusionists, Jonathan and Trisha Hawley.

Together they have traveled the world performing their action packed grand illusion show while also becoming finalist on America’s Got Talent, being featured on UK’s award winning TV show “The Cruise”, and were nominated for Princess Cruises Entertainers of the Year. 

Since the arrival of their beautiful little girl, Jonathan has continued to travel the world on both land and sea with his one man magic show, The Man of Magic and has performed at many high profile corporate events which includes the Biltmore House, the Carolina Panthers, Mereck Pharmaceutical, the NC Museum of the Arts, Coldwell Banker, amongst many others. 

For MAGiCon2026 they will hit the stage, together again for an amazing show filled with magic, illusions and lots of fun for all ages!

For decades, Joseph Daniels has worked professionally within the world of entertainment. During that time, Joseph earned degrees in both theatre and broadcast communications. He is also a well-regarded actor, director, writer, special effects consultant, illusion designer, and a bladed weapons specialist, for theatre, television, and film. Joseph has worked with Hollywood royalty like Lauren Bacall, Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams, Sandra Bullock, & Ben Affleck. 

Over the last decade he has presided over a Twilight Zone - like domain called The Dark Cabaret, a touring production some 20 years in the making. In collaboration with some of the best artists, designers, and performers in America, The Dark Cabaret has been critically acclaimed with numerous sold-out performances. The show also received the Ripley’s Believe It or Not award. 

Most recently, Joseph was presented with the Edgar Allan Poe award for excellence in storytelling. Over the last three years Joseph has been a featured entertainer at several of the world’s top magic venues. Currently he stars in the featured cast of the acclaimed North American tour of the London-based immersive theatre production, The Magicians Table. 

Colin Eleazer is a multi–international-award-winning magician from Charlotte, North Carolina who has been astonishing audiences since childhood. After learning his first tricks for a Scouting merit badge at age six, he quickly discovered a passion for magic, booking his first paid show shortly after performing for his Scout pack’s Blue & Gold Banquet.

By age eight, Colin had already been invited to perform on the Las Vegas Strip. Since then, he has continued to rise through the ranks of the magic world, earning numerous honors including First Place Stage at the International Brotherhood of Magicians, First Place Stage at the Winter Carnival of Magic, and the prestigious Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society—becoming the youngest recipient in the award’s history.

In 2023, Colin was selected by Lance Burton, Jeff McBride, and Larry Haas to receive the Adele Friel Rhindress Plaque, recognizing magicians who advance the history and art of magic.

Beyond the stage, Colin is also a creator and author. He published his first book, That Magic Kid’s: How Do You Do It?, in 2018, and in 2026 released his first original magic routine, THE READ WORDS, through Paul Richards Magic.. an effect that quickly became a convention favorite and sold out at multiple events. When he's not performing magic, Colin is pursuing a degree in fine arts while also making appearances in major motion pictures and writing his own screenplays.

Today, Colin performs his large-scale illusion show across the country, featuring grand illusions, daring escapes, and theatrical storytelling. A returning favorite at MAGiCon, he is excited to be performing for his fourth year while also helping make the magic happen behind the scenes.

Luna Shimada is a performer, writer, and teacher whose work blends stage magic, storytelling, and the psychology of wonder. Raised in the world of magic and performance, she developed her own voice through years of theatrical work, live presentations, and immersive audience experiences.

She was recently honored with the Adelaide Herrmann Legacy Award from the Los Angeles Tribune’s International Global Magicians Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to the art of magic and performance.

In addition to performing, Luna teaches workshops on creativity, perception, and the deeper philosophy behind magical performance. Her work explores how illusion, narrative, and symbolic thinking shape the way we experience reality.

She is also a writer currently developing several forthcoming books on storytelling, consciousness, and the art of transformation.

Luna lives in Nevada where she continues to perform, teach, and create work at the intersection of magic, myth, and human perception.

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. 

Skip Way, performing as Happy Dan the Magic Man, is a decorated Air Force and law enforcement veteran with more than forty years of experience entertaining children and families across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

His hilarious family shows are regular features at Southeastern festivals, comedy clubs, banquets, trade shows, schools, and even family living rooms. His monthly columns on magic, comedy, and family entertainment appear in leading trade journals around the world.

Skip’s Happy Dan character recalls the television heyday of programs like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Captain Kangaroo. He proudly portrays that slightly silly, can’t-wait-to-see-him loving uncle that every child adores.

Join Happy Dan at the MAGiCon2026 Open Air Festival at 3:30 PM for a free kids’ show filled with laughter, surprises, and magical fun for the whole family!

Michael Bloemeke is a professional magician from Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in both close-up and stage magic. With over a decade of performance experience, Michael has  Michael has earned international recognition for his humor, originality, and technical excellence. 

Most recently, he represented the United States at the FISM World Championship of Magic (often called “The Magician Olympics”) in Italy, where he won the award for Most Original Close-Up Act... one of the highest honors in the art of magic.

Michael’s accolades also include multiple first-place finishes and People’s Choice awards at the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Winter Carnival of Magic, and other prestigious competitions. In addition, he holds the exclusive “Masters of Magic” degree from the invite-only 4F Convention and has been featured nationally on The CW’s Masters of Illusion.

Beyond competition, Michael performs throughout the country for private and corporate events, blending comedy, magic, and mentalism to create highly engaging and interactive experiences. He is also a regular performer with The Magicians Table, an immersive theatrical magic experience that originated in London and now tours across the United States.

You may have seen him on the CW's Masters of Illusion, but now you can see him up-close and in-person at MAGiCon2026!

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!

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.

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.

While Dr. Wozencraft-Ornellas may not be a magician in the traditional sense, she certainly understands the magic of the human voice.

A lyric soprano, Dr. WO made her professional debut with the Cleveland Opera in the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi. She has since performed recitals, opera, and oratorio throughout the United States and abroad. Twice a regional finalist and award winner in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, she has performed in 13 countries, including China, Spain, New Zealand, and Indonesia.

Listed among “Outstanding Musicians of the Twentieth Century,” Dr. WO served on the faculty of Eastern New Mexico University for 32 years, teaching voice, vocal pedagogy, and vocal literature, and directing opera and music theatre productions. She holds degrees from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music (B.M.), Bowling Green State University (M.M.), and Florida State University (D.M. in Vocal Performance). Her service to music education has been recognized with induction into the New Mexico Music Educators Hall of Fame and the NMMEA Rollie V. Heltman Distinguished Service Award. She now serves as Director of the Meredith College Music Department.

At MAGiCon2026, Dr. WO will present an interactive Vocal Health for the Performer workshop, offering practical tools for projection, clarity, vocal stamina, and healthy technique — essential skills for any magician who relies on their voice to command attention and create connection.

In addition, she is generously opening her studio to registered attendees for complimentary 30-minute one-on-one vocal coaching sessions - an extraordinary opportunity to receive personalized guidance from a world-class vocal professional.

Your voice carries your story. This is your chance to strengthen it.

Dr. Mark O’Dekirk is a Professor of Psychology at Meredith College whose work explores perception, memory, and visual selective attention... in other words, the very foundations of how and why magic works.

Dr. O’Dekirk joined the Meredith faculty in 2001 and has taught courses including Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Perception, Cognition, and Memory & Memoir. His research examines differences in cognitive processing, with recent presentations in areas such as selective attention and intellectual disabilities, flashbulb memories, and temperament and post-traumatic stress disorder.

He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Alabama and a B.A. in Psychology from North Carolina State University. In 2022–23, he received the Pauline Davis Perry Award for Excellence in Teaching.

At MAGiCon2026, Dr. O’Dekirk will present an interactive lecture on perception - diving into the psychological principles that magicians intuitively exploit and audiences unknowingly experience. Expect insight, discovery, and perhaps a few moments that make you rethink what you thought you saw.

On a personal note, Dr. O’Dekirk taught one of SarahElla’s favorite psychology courses during SarahElla's time majoring in Psychology and Music at Meredith... making this collaboration a full-circle moment for MAGiCon2026.