Ho explored magic tricks on his own before going for classes.
When teenage magician Marcus Ho decided to start learning magic at the tender age of five, he did not receive much support from his family as they thought it was just a pastime.
The 18-year-old Johorean said he got his first taste of magic at a Christmas party back then where he was invited by a magician to perform a trick on stage with him.
“That sparked my curiosity in magic and I began trying out some tricks on my own.
“When my family realised that I was serious about it, they sent me for magic classes when I was 12. Two years later, I took up professional stage magic classes.
Ho wowing the audience with a fire-swallowing routine during a church family day event.
“I enjoy being on stage and entertaining people.
“My favourite part about magic is the satisfaction of figuring out how to perform a trick and the secret behind it,” he told StarMetro at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus family day event in Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Baru.
He said he was thankful that his parents – who run a traditional Chinese medicine business – were supportive of his ambition and even bought equipment costing RM5,000 for his performance.
Ho, who looks up to Taiwanese magician Lu Chen, said he also sought knowledge from industry peers who were already professional magicians.
“We have a community platform for all things magic and while the other magicians are more experienced than me, they are willing to share knowledge and advice with a budding magician like me.
“I hope to one day do this full-time as a professional.
“But as a back-up plan, I am currently learning pastry-making in Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur so that I have something to fall back on,” he added.
Ho said his performance routine would usually last about 20 minutes and he had performed at family gatherings, birthdays, corporate events as well as on a charity cruise.
He has also won several awards in local competitions and talent shows nationwide.
The cathedral’s parish priest Simon Yong said the church encouraged its young talents such as Ho and gave them a platform to gather and perform for others.
“Youths in Johor Baru are different from those in other places as they tend to see the city as a temporary place before they move to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for job opportunities.
“What we can do is try and nurture the talents that we have and hope that this gives them a sense of being part of the community,” he said.
