![Incoming Student Union President junior Aki Bejamin and other SU candidates sitting on stage while waiting to give their speeches during the May 18 SU Debate. Aki said he plans to “burn [the SU] all down and start anew.”](https://thhsclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_9600-e1782439128607-1200x1131.jpg)
The Wonderers, an international club of young magicians, co-founded by junior Albert Khyan, connects magicians from around the world through performances and meetings online.
The name of the organization was inspired by their goal, which is to “show people something that they haven’t seen before and it’s a wonder,” Albert said. Albert is also known as the “Townsend Harris Magic Man.”
The Wonderers includes members from Asia, South America and Europe who met through social media platforms like Instagram, and magic conventions like the World Championship of Magic or the Blackpool Magic Convention.
Member of the organization, and THHS sophomore Riley Kurpiel said, “We have meetings, such as monthly zoom meetings to share tricks, and also go perform at events like talent shows across multiple different places. We’ve also had in-person as well as over-the-phone performances, such as for students at THHS after school for a few days.”
Members of the organization perform in different magic disciplines including card tricks, juggling, and coin magic.
André Rebel, stage name “Drebellini,” is a 42 year old member from Germany. He started his journey in magic at five, and “the old-fashioned way—with a magic set I got for Christmas,” he said. “I see our goal as The Wonderers is to be part of the global magic community. Because together, we all have great potential.”
Kenshin, a member who is an elementary school student from Japan, said, “I wanted to surprise people all around the world with magic together with wonderful magician friends, and make them feel happy and excited.” He said, “I hope this team becomes known all around the world.”
Riley said, “Having organizations like The Wonderers definitely provide a positive impact on the community. We try our best to make people laugh, make people smile, and blow their minds”
An obstacle members have faced is how others perceive the art form of magic. THHS junior and The Wonderers’ accountant Victoria Ng said, “The primary difficulty is regarding how people perceive magic. From some of the others, they heard how some of our audience call the entire purpose/shop a ‘joke’ within earshot. Best-case scenario, they didn’t mean it. Worst-case scenario, we have peers who genuinely consider our thing a joke.”
To get over this obstacle, Albert said the organization will continue to grow with “a group of people willing to help overcome that journey.”
Albert said, “There were a lot of magicians that I met outside of New York and I’ve been doing magic since I was six years old.” After school, Albert often sets up his “magic shop” in front of the auditorium, where he performs tricks for students and sells items for magic performances, such as decks of cards.
Victoria said, “Magic is honestly a dying art. Not every day can someone pull cards out of thin air or solve the impossible.”
During the 2026 Festival of Nations, Albert and several members of the Wonderers performed a preshow act as the “Townsend Harris Avengers of Magic.” The group included Albert as “the Ghost,” Safir Azad as “the Juggler,” and Jordan Liu as “the Charmer.” Freshman and audience member Vickie Eng said, “Watching the Wonderers make a show of magic was honestly unexpected, but very fascinating, which also defines magic.”
The Wonderers latest performance outside of school took place at Manero’s Pizza in Little Italy, where Albert performed magic tricks for customers using cards and Rubik’s cubes, and other props. Albert said he was invited by entrepreneur Ivan Chan to perform there after meeting him during Career Day. Albert described it as a “magical experience” where the audience applauded their tricks.
“We are going to have a new show open soon and it’s going to be at the shop,” said Albert. This year at Harrisfest on Keepers day the Wonderers plan to open a ‘Magic Shop’ where students can request certain tricks and interact with the performers.
Members shared that they hope to eventually open an official storefront and expand their performances internationally. According to Victoria, “We’re already international, but we’re almost ‘floating around.’” As the organization continues to grow, members hope to strengthen their network of magicians and create more opportunities inside and outside of THHS.
