Charlie's Chaplains Member Spotlight: Magic's Royal Duke Sammy Cortino

Legend has it that at the age of 2, he made a coin disappear. But the real story is that he first made it appear!

When Sammy was 6, he received 3 magic sets from relatives at Christmas. He was enthralled and began learning tricks, giving ongoing, endless magic shows anywhere he could.

He began performing magic professionally at 11 for birthday parties, churches, schools, and community events. Since launching out professionally, his gigs and bookings have been going gangbusters.

In 2001, Sammy became a junior member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. His membership was endorsed by Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton, Terry Evanswood, and Hickory's Stanley Williams. The organization is the world's largest with nearly 15,000 members. That year, Sammy also joined the Young Magician's Club, the youth initiative of the world famous Magic Circle in London. He has been published in IBM's monthly publication The Linking Ring; twice in the Young Magician's Club magazine Secrets, appearing also on that publications' cover both times.

At 14, Sammy performed his first stage show at the Hickory Community Theatre entitled "A Magical Evening with Sammy Cortino." A year later, in 2004, Sammy performed another show at the Hickory Community Theatre, named "Dimension Unknown with Sammy Cortino." In these charming performances, Sammy blended artful sleight of hand with large, and stage illusions along with hilarious audience participation.

In September 2004, he attended Jeff McBride's Masters Class in Las Vegas. Masters Class is a seminar for magicians to sharpen their skills, taught by world-renowned magicians Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger. At Masters Class, Sammy met several magicians and improved his craft. As a graduate of this seminar, Sammy feels he has taken his magic to another level.

On September 16th 2006, he performed a 45-minute spot at the 1,000 seat Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir, NC. He was featured as the closing act of the "Hometown/Homegrown Talent Show" - which opened the performing arts center's 2006-2007 season. The show set a precedent for Sammy's desire to perform in performing arts centers and theatre all around the globe.

On November 17, 2007 Sammy and his dedicated crew will take his expanded 90-minute illusion show to the new Robert & Miriam Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Entitled "Dimension Unknown with Magic's Royal Duke Sammy Cortino," the show transports the audience on a journey to a Magical Destination. While exploring the unbelievable, this new show incorporates large-scale illusions, dazzling special effects and comedy.

Sammy's magic is hailed as "out of sight" by the Charlotte Observer. Master Magician Lance Burton calls Sammy "a dedicated student of magic." Sammy says, "One day, I hope to perform for mass audiences. I want to continue to share my magic with the world."

In addition to many large public performances, Sammy has been entertaining small audiences, as part of FRMC Charlie's Chaplains since 1997. He has made monthly Rounds, and faithfully taught magic and improvisational classes at Charlie's Chaplains' now-infamous Skools.

In 2006, he received The President’s Volunteer Service Awards through the Points of Light Foundation in conjunction with USA Freedom Corps and Corporation for National and Community Service recognizing his service hours. Sammy Cortino received a Gold Level Young Adult award for 272 service hours since January 6, 2004. He also received the "Beyond the Call" Award from FRMC Charlie's Chaplains, recognizing his dedicated service on Rounds, and tireless contributions in training and all things media.

Visit Sammy's website and see him perform

UPDATED Video from Sammy's November 17, 2007 performance at the Hayes Performing Arts Center: