Teen Magician Heads to Prestigious Magic Castle in LA

Jacob Goetz, a 12th grader from Syosset, New York, has been accepted into the elite junior program at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Jacob Goetz, a 12th grader from Syosset High School on Long Island, has been accepted into the prestigious junior program at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, known as the 'Top Gun of illusion school.' Goetz has been honing his card trick and magic skills since age 7, practicing for hours every day, and has performed at local restaurants and events. He auditioned for the Magic Castle's junior society and was accepted, joining an exclusive group of 100-300 up-and-coming magicians from around the world. Goetz plans to study marketing, business, and philosophy in college to complement his magical talents.

Why it matters

The Magic Castle in Los Angeles is considered one of the most exclusive and elite training grounds for aspiring magicians, with only the best and brightest young talents accepted into its junior program. Goetz's acceptance showcases his exceptional skills and dedication to the craft of magic at a very young age, and highlights the growing popularity and professionalism of magic performance as a career path.

The details

Goetz fell in love with magic at age 7 after his family gave him a magic set that had been sitting unused. He then spent years honing his skills, practicing card tricks and other illusions for at least an hour every day. At age 16, Goetz started going door-to-door to local restaurants in Huntington, New York, pitching his magic show to perform while customers waited for their food. He was able to secure one gig, though the restaurant closed shortly after. Luckily, Goetz connected with another local magician who became an agent for him, helping book more corporate and private events. Goetz now performs shows about once every two weeks while balancing his senior year of high school. For his Magic Castle audition, he performed a trick he calls 'Schrodinger's stack of cards' where the cards both exist and don't exist simultaneously.

  • Goetz fell in love with magic at age 7 after his family gave him a magic set.
  • At age 16, Goetz started going door-to-door to local restaurants in Huntington, New York, pitching his magic show.
  • Goetz auditioned for the Magic Castle's junior program in late 2025 and was accepted.

The players

Jacob Goetz

A 12th grader at Syosset High School on Long Island who has been accepted into the prestigious junior program at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles.

Magic Castle

An exclusive performance theater and school in Los Angeles that is considered the 'Top Gun of illusion school,' with only the best up-and-coming magicians from around the world accepted into its junior program.

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What they’re saying

“You can't go unless you're someone already. It's very exclusive … all the best magicians in the world go there.”

— Jacob Goetz, 12th grader (The Post)

“Even to get into see a show, you have to have a special invite or have some sort of connection.”

— Jacob Goetz, 12th grader (The Post)

What’s next

Goetz plans to study marketing, business, and philosophy in college to complement his magical talents, while continuing to perform shows and hone his skills before officially joining the Magic Castle's junior program.

The takeaway

Goetz's acceptance into the elite Magic Castle junior program at just 18 years old showcases the incredible dedication and talent required to succeed in the highly competitive world of professional magic. His story inspires other young people to pursue their passions, even in niche fields, and demonstrates that with hard work and determination, it's possible to turn a childhood hobby into a promising career.