SINGAPORE – Since he was young, Mr Norvin Ong has looked up to the likes of American illusionist David Copperfield and Taiwanese magician Lu Chen.
“I think they inspired a lot of young magicians in my generation,” said the 35-year-old. “Even today, I watch them perform, and I find it amazing.”
Mr Ong is a professional magician and balloon artist with over a decade of experience. He credits much of his success to his time in RP Magic, a co-curricular activity at Republic Polytechnic (RP) that is one of its kind among Singapore’s polytechnics, where students learn and practise magic.
Before the days of social media and easy access to online tutorials, “it was difficult to learn how to do tricks or to find magicians who would be able to teach me”, he said.
The turning point came when he joined RP in 2008 and became a member of RP Magic.
Then a student of industrial and operations management, “it was (my peers and lecturers) that pushed me to take the step to learn stage magic”, he said.
“I’m also very grateful that (RP Magic) lent me the space and props to practise and perform.”
Some of his fondest memories were being recognised by lecturers from other courses because of his campus performances. “Some of the lecturers would even ask me to come and perform for their course events,” he added.
As Mr Ong’s skills as a magician improved, more opportunities came his way. By the middle of his first year in the polytechnic, he was performing not only with RP Magic, but also as a solo act at birthday parties and events at community clubs. His repertoire ranged from simple card tricks to flashier illusions, such as his signature act of making a small table appear to float in the air.
He recalled: “Back then, I was charging about $200 per show. I could have charged higher, but the money I was making was quite good for me. I think that’s what made me (consider becoming) a magician professionally.”
His polytechnic side hustle, however, did require some initial investment. When he was first starting out as a solo act, he had to use his Chinese New Year red packet money to buy props such as wands, handkerchiefs and tables.
Mr Ong also picked up another skill – balloon sculpting.
“(It) complements my magic (performances) well, since it’s something that people tend to ask for at parties,” he said. “It was something surprisingly easy for me to learn on my own.”
Through his events company, The Balloon Thing, Mr Norvin Ong puts on 20 to 25 magic and balloon performances a month.PHOTO: COURTESY OF NORVIN ONG
After graduating from polytechnic and completing his national service, Mr Ong made magic his full-time job.
“My parents were a bit worried (because they saw it) as a freelancer job, but I was able to convince them to give me a few years to try it out as a profession,” he said.
His first gig as a full-time magician was at a birthday party, for which he was paid $400.
More than 15 years on, Mr Ong remains a professional magician. Through his events company, The Balloon Thing, he puts on 20 to 25 magic and balloon performances a month, most of them at private birthday parties.
When asked about his favourite thing about the job, Mr Ong said: “I love it when the audience is very amazed. That’s what keeps me performing.”
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