Dad's talent magically rubs off on son
There is a certain fascination in seeing the impossible unfold before our very eyes. Perhaps this is what draws us to magic performances, with their improbable feats and astounding tricks.
For some, this interest becomes a passion.
Magician Vincent Villamonte caught the magic bug when he was
quite young. His parents, Luis and Rogene Villamonte, had been
practicing professionally for nine years before they started
their family and have encouraged their children to participate
in their performances.
“When Vincent was little we would always have him come up on
stage with us,” Vincent’s dad said.
Vincent has grown up with direct access to Nebraska’s only magic
shop, which his parents started. He spends part of his summer
helping run the family business, having even developed his own
magic kit to sell.
“Every summer I live at the shop,” he jokes. According to his
parents, that’s where he’s honed his skills.
His parents’ talent rubbed off on young Vincent, and by the time
he was 11 he had begun to perform professionally as well. Two
years later, he put on his first solo performance at his school.
His father, who usually helped with some of the tricks, only
manned the camera that day. “I was ready for it,” the protégé
says, recalling that magical day.
The phenom is now 15, and has been putting on performances for
conventions, birthday parties, and other functions for four
years. Behind every act there are many hours of hard work.
“I practice every day for 45 minutes, except on weekends,” says
Villamonte. Every trick must be repeated for perfection, and his
routines change about every year. It’s a lot of work, but he
feels that it has definitely been worth it.
“The best part is the reaction after a trick, the looks on their
faces,” he says.
The Lincoln Pius X High School freshman performed last month at
his school’s faculty and staff Christmas Party. His comfortable
stage presence, humor, and contagious smile earned him plenty of
laughter.
“Our staff members enjoyed the act very much, but I believe they
enjoyed it even more knowing that Vincent is one of our
students,” said Father James Meysenburg, the school’s
superintendent. “We all felt a certain pride in the giftedness
of this young man.”
Villamonte draws on a diverse range of props for his shows,
including birds, cards, candy, and even his little sister Jenny,
who gets a lift from her brother by being levitated on occasion.
He understands, though, that having all of these tricks up his
sleeve is only part of the performance. “I always start a show
by feeling out the audience,” Villamonte says.
Two years ago, his successful techniques earned him second place
in the International Brotherhood of Magicians’ close-up youth
category.
Later this month, Villamonte will be competing at the World
Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, where he will perform a 10-minute
silent routine, instead of his full 30-to-45-minute routine. His
participation in these international competitions has given him
exposure to young magicians from around the world, and has
helped him to improve his skills.
He plans to continue his career as a professional magician. With
his dedication, ambition, and natural talent there is very
little which could hold him back. His parents are both
incredibly proud of him. “We’re happy to see that he has learned
how to practice and understands that he can do anything he can
dream of if he puts his mind to it,” his dad said.
More information on Vincent Villamonte is on his page on the
“Magic Mafia” Web site, at www.magicmafia.com. There you can see video footage, book a
performance, or make a donation to help cover the costs of his
competition in Las Vegas.