Profile on Magician Nicolas Catusse De Boyer De Camprieu

Nicolas Catusse de Boyer de Camprieu is one of the few magicians that can cut someone's body in two and be able sew it back together.

For the past eight years, Camprieu has been trying to perfect his magic at birthday parties and weddings, and on the street. But one thing that makes Camprieu stand out is that he's not just an illusionist. He's an aspiring doctor.

For this summer, Camprieu has performed around Harvard Square. He sets up a foldable table and starts to perform. He also sets out a hat in which he collects donations.

These donations along with his salary from various other jobs are used for tuition at Aix en Provence ISO, a well known Osteopathy school in France. "It (magic) is my main source of income being a student," said Camprieu. "The money goes towards my studies and living needs."

Camprieu has always aspired to be a doctor. He graduated from the University of Marseille's medical school program at age 22, and continued on to Aix en Provence ISO right afterward. He is now 26, and is in his last year of schooling before he becomes a certified Osteopathic Physician.

He has maintained many other jobs to pay his tuition and rent. "I worked fields, picked fruits, carried boxes, washed (dishes) in a restaurant," said Camprieu, describing his other summer jobs. During the year "I usually work in restaurants, table hopping."

This young magician has had years to perfect his art, as he continues to become better and better at what he does. "I began practicing magic tricks when I was a child," said

Camprieu. "But I really began learning when I was 18."

Camprieu has learned his magic tricks from a variety of sources. He taught himself a few of them, and his friends taught him some of the more difficult ones. "No matter which trick you choose, they all take much practice."

While he is great at what he does, not that many people know about him. He is relatively new to the United States, coming for the summer to visit his sister and nephews. He has only worked on the street for one night, but plans to keep doing it for the rest of the summer. Camprieu says he may even street perform back in France, once he starts his schooling again.