The Wonder Magicians
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A WONDER MAGICIAN?
Often spotted in Prospect Park, adorned in colorful scarves, onesies and disco pants, the Wonder Magician is a curious breed. They’ve been known to gallop from time to time, and respond to the stroke of a ukulele. They’re a rare type and we love them.
Wonder Magicians Alli Gabbert (left), Tamar Ellerton (middle left), Christine Dubov (middle right) and Daniel Fresco (right)
The Wonder Magicians are the creative teachers and guest artists who guide the Wonder kids through adventures – but they’re also so much more. Here you’ll learn about the incredible people who facilitate the after school programs and Wonder Camps!
As a diverse team of conscious, creative and accomplished professionals coming from creative education, arts and wellness, the Wonder Magicians serve as true role models for the children. Our team of Wonder Magicians exemplify what it means to practice freedom, creativity and compassionate communication while holding oneself to high creative and ethical standards.
Let’s meet some of them!!
Alli, the Adventurer
You’re walking past the wonder village and think you see a spider suspended between trees, but wait! That’s no spider, that’s Alli Gabbert practicing the aerial arts!
Originally from the Wonder Village of Minnesota, Alli has spent the past decade empowering children to build self-confidence and self-trust through her work in speech therapy. She’s passionate about helping children express themselves and experience wonder, curiosity and warmth in all areas of life - an approach she brings to every after school program and Wonder Camp (hint hint - sign up soon)!
For Alli, self-expression, wonder, curiosity and warmth are not mere educational tools. She embodies these virtues in her personal life, from the way she comforts children to her adventurous hobbies - from watercolor painting and group singing to aerial swinging.
“I love witnessing small moments of connection — when kids share about their excitement about making a new friend, realize the impact of picking up a piece of trash for Gaia, or the learnings that come through when painting with watercolors for the first time.”
- Alli
Christine, the Caring Dancer
You’re walking through your local bookstore when you see a familiar name - Christine Dubov’s published children’s books are proudly displayed at the front of the store! As an educator, professional dancer and published author, Christine is a regular Wonder Magician at the after school program and Wonder Camps.
Her experience in education crossed disciplinary and geographical boundaries, having brought special education and dance/ movement therapy to children and families across the United States and internationally. If you’ve seen her in action, you know that Christine has a way of drawing out children’s natural curiosity and creativity while creating a warm and loving environment.
“When I am present there is so much to be curious about. There is an energy that I can connect with that taps into endless possibilities. What I love most about being a wonder magician is the feeling of being alive!❤️”
- Christine
Marta, the Magician
On a given Wednesday afternoon, you’ll find Marta Pascual Barea dancing, running, laughing and wearing costumes with the Wonder Kids in Prospect Park. Marta is the lifeblood of School of Wonder and the original Wonder Magician.
Born in Spain, Marta is a multicultural, multilingual and award-winning education innovator. She received her Masters’ in Public Administration and Education Policy-Making from Columbia University and served as a policy-maker for the NJDOE and UKDfE before founding School of Wonder. As an educator, Marta leads the Wonder Kids on adventures with her characteristic curiosity and child-like wonder.
Bring a child to nature, make them feel free, at ease, seen and respected, and there it comes the Wonder! There is nothing more startling for me than witnessing their moments of wisdom, compassion and geniality while they play. They are the true Wonder Magicians!”
- Marta
Tamar the Tuneful
If you travel to the cloud rainforests of Perú, you might see Tamar Ellerton teaching children about ecological regeneration through Siendo Naturaleza (Being Nature), a life project she helped start in 2020. Tamar is a holistic educator and musician on a mission to celebrate life and share her love for Mother Earth.
When she’s not in Peru, Tamar joins School of Wonder as a Wonder Magician. With an MSc in Holistic Science from Schumacher College, Tamar transforms her love for music, the natural sciences and deep ecology, and her passion for connecting with children into interdisciplinary learning experiences.
“One of my favorite parts of being a Wonder Magician is to get the opportunity to travel with the children into their natural and deep state of curiosity and wonder. It brings me so much joy and aliveness!"
- Tamar
Together, our Wonder Magicians create a canopy of warmth, creativity and adventure for the Wonder Kids. We’re so lucky to have these incredible people on the team! To see a full list of the Wonder Magicians, click here!
