Lex Schneier became the M Factor winner of the 2016/2017 school year–a sixth grader beating out eighth graders in the competition–outshining the barrage of music acts with something different and special: magic!

Lex says he has always loved the thought of magic. He has been practicing tricks ever since he was a young kid and learned new ones as he practiced more and more. He got into magic by scrolling through YouTube and was amazed by what the magicians could do. He started off with little kid magic sets and grew into more mature and sophisticated tricks that leave audiences impressed.

He started practicing magic at the age of nine and was most inspired by Rick Smith Jr., whom Lex is actually related to.  After his little kid magic sets, Lex knew he was ready for more. He got some stuff on Amazon and some other materials and props from magic shops and practiced. After her mastered those, he got newer and better ones and mastered those, too.

What Lex would say to young magicians is, “Keep trying…It takes a while but it’s worth it.” Although Lex knows what tricks he is doing and how to do them, there is a part of him that believes in magic.

Besides magic, there is a lot more to Lex. He skis whenever he gets the chance and can ride down a steep slope on one leg. Lex and some of his friends have a YouTube channel where they do amazing skiing tricks. Lex also plays soccer for the Mayfield travel team. He plays striker and came in at half time when his team was down 3-0 and scored 4 goals to win the game. Lex also plays for a soccer club called Croatia.

Lex says that he intends on competing in the M Factor again this year, but is not doing so as a magician this time. He has been working on some acrobatic skills and plans to do a routine with a partner, Joey Bevak.