Winona has its very own masterful magician! Collin Moore, 17, is an 11th grade student at Winona Christian School. When he’s not in class or on the baseball field, he is showcasing his performing magic skills on social media or auditioning for America’s Got Talent.
“If he gets [something] on his mind, he does not quit,” said Moore’s father, Sean Moore.
Moore said that he started trying magic tricks when he was 8 years old. “I saw a magician, Mat Franco, on America’s Got Talent and ever since then, he inspired me.”
According to Mat Franco’s website, “that Mat decided to audition for America’s Got Talent, where he impressed both the judges and viewers across the country with his fresh take on magic, eventually becoming the first magician to win NBC’s No. 1 summer show in 2014.”
“For his 13th or 14th birthday, we got him tickets to see him (Franco), and he actually chose Collin to be on stage,” Sean Moore said.
According to Sean Moore, Moore came home one day and said “Daddy, Mat Franco is fixing to call me.” Moore’s father said he just nodded and was surprised to find that Franco did indeed call.
“He’s gone to an audition in Houston or Dallas, Texas, one in Charlotte, North Carolina, and this last one [was] in California,” said Sean Moore. He went on to say that America’s Got Talent preliminary judges sent all other talents out of the room at the California audition and wanted more information from Moore.
“They said they’ll let him know around mid-February,” Sean Moore said, regarding Moore’s current audition status.
Sean Moore said that Moore is very passionate about being a performing magician, and that it was recommended that Moore “might consider Plan B,” but once Moore puts his mind to something, he doesn’t back down.
“Performing for me is way more than just a magic trick, it’s a way to connect with people,” said Moore, “so hopefully they know that they can do anything they set their mind to.”
“It’s much more than a magic trick to me,” he continued, “It’s something that God gave me as a way to spread his word around.”
Look forward to Moore’s journey as he continues to move towards his goal, as in his father’s own words, “His goal is to win [America’s Got Talent], I don’t think he wants anything less.”
