Barrhaven Teen Magician Back After COVID Hiatus

It had been four years since the Great Arjunia first performed his children’s magic show at the Greely Winter Carnival.

The Barrhaven magician was 12 years old at that time. Now 16, he returned to the Greely Winter Carnival Sat., Jan. 28 and showed what three years of practice and hard work can do to help one improve.

“It’s great to come back,” he said, adding that he is continuing to specialize in children’s shows. “I spent a lot of time during COVID learning and practicing. A lot of magicians did things on Zoom and there were a lot of opportunities to learn from some great magicians.”

When he is not on stage, he is Longfields Davidson Heights Secondary School student Arjun Gill. When he is not studying academics, he is working on his craft. He has been fascinated with magic for as long as he can remember.

“My aunt gave me a magic kit for Christmas when I was three,” he said. “I really loved it. I practiced a lot, and when I was five, I gave my first performance.”

Arjun took part in the Berrigan Elementary School talent show in Grade 4, and continued every year until moving onto Longfields Davidson Heights Secondary School. He performed at events in his father’s workplace, and in 2018, he performed at a campaign event for Ottawa City Council candidate Harpreet Singh.

Arjun is helped a great deal by his father, Harry, who is also a fan of magic. He helps Arjun with his act, and is always there to help him set up his equipment and operate the music. They also love to watch professional musicians together.

Before the 2019 Greely Winter Carnival, organizers saw a video of him performing his magic online and they reached out to him about doing his act for children after the pancake breakfast. It was a big stage and a big room for the young magician, but he put on a very good show and it help him launch his budding career.

Over the pandemic, Arjun has learned and improved techniques on how to engage and entertain younger children. While his magic has improved over the last four years, his showmanship has made huge strides.

“It’s also important to promote magic to any kids that are interested,” he said. He even has his own branded Great Arjunia magic kits that he makes available at the end of his shows.

Image: Barrhaven magician Arjun Gill, 16, is performing again after a long hiatus due to COVID-19.