At the Magic Castle in Hollywood, JSerra freshman Jacob Baum is known as the youngest magician in the private nightclub's nearly 60 year old history to try out and become a member — and more impressively, he was able to do so on his first attempt.

Junior membership at the Magic Castle requires that magicians be at least 13 years of age to become a member. Typically, candidates try out 3-4 times before they are accepted; however, in Jacob's case, he auditioned just one month before his 13th birthday and learned a few weeks later that he was officially and historically the Castle's youngest member.

Jacob's love of magic began with his father, who is a magic hobbyist. Jacob first began performing magic at talent shows in 3rd grade. Now 15 and a freshman in the Business Magnet Program at JSerra, he performs brunch shows at the Magic Castle as well as at private parties, events, and carnivals.

As a jazz guitarist and violinist, Jacob often incorporates music into his act. For his audition at the Magic Castle, he updated an old magic trick in which the magician stabs a playing card with a sword; instead, Jacob played the violin and then stabbed the card at the end of the song with his bow. (His latest act involves pulling four guitars out of a briefcase and floating one of them.)

Every month at the Magic Castle, Jacob attends a business meeting, is given books to take home to read, and signs up for workshops in which his act is critiqued. He also meets with directors to hone his performance, which typically takes place in front of 100 audience members for 10-30 minutes.

As if magic didn't take up enough of his time, Jacob maintains a 4.0 GPA, plays lacrosse, participates in two clubs (Girl Up and Paws for a Cause), and will soon become an Eagle Scout. He plans to pursue a career in law.

Jacob will perform at the Magic Castle this summer so be sure to catch his act.