A Creative Partnership Willmore the Wizard’s inspiring children’s programs are designed and written by Arthur Willmore Stead and his talented wife, Leslie Blake Stead. Growing up in Gloucester, Massachusetts and graduating from New England Art in Boston, Leslie began her career as illustrator/art director for garment manufacturer, Lily of France. A real New Yorker at heart, Leslie has an extensive creative background in advertising, working for top Madison Avenue agencies Ogilvy & Mather, McCaffrey McCall and Celanese Corporation. She has enjoyed the opportunity to work with many major celebrities and on scores of national brand accounts. As a songwriter and professionally trained pianist, she went on to become music producer at one of the largest TV production companies in New York City, where she met her husband, Arthur (a very charming story)! Together, the Steads have collaborated on countless award-winning television and radio commercials. As a creative team, Leslie and Arthur inspire each other. Drawing on their combined talents in music, art, magic and all things imaginative . . . their highly acclaimed presentations demonstrate a superb commitment to educational enrichment. Making a difference in children’s lives from coast to coast. More About Arthur Willmore Stead Arthur Willmore Stead has entertained thousands of people all over the world. You may have seen him performing on numerous television shows: PBS, HBO, Good Morning America, MTV, or VH1. Arthur’s songs have been recorded by musical legends CYNDI LAUPER, PETER FRAMPTON, DEBBIE ALLEN, BRENDA K. STARR, ACE FREHLEY and STARSHIP. He has toured the globe performing with PETER FRAMPTON, THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS, PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED, GODSPELL, JOHN WAITE AND ACE FREHLEY. As a film composer, his credits include THE MUPPETTS, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, THE GUIDING LIGHT, various award-winning PBS documetaries, and the STEVEN SPIELBERG film, THE GOONIES. Arthur’s keyboard playing can be heard on recordings by MICHAEL BOLTON, CHER, AEROSMITH, HALL & OATES, VAN HALEN and SHANIA TWAIN. In the world of advertising, Arthur has composed and arranged music for countless TV commercials including VISA, COCA-COLA, BURGER KING, PALMOLIVE, SPRINT, AT&T and HERTZ. Arthur comes from a classical music background and graduated magna cum laude from BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, where he also lectured for two years. Born in South Africa, he had the added advantage of learning African instruments and percussive rhythms from indigenous musicians. Performing as Willmore the Wizard, Arthur combines his creative musical abilities with a professional magic act to present imaginative and inspiring EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS for schools and libraries. As a popular MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, he is frequently invited to lecture to hundreds of performers around the world on the effective use of music, plus how to create quality educational enrichment programs. He is an active member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Society of American Magicians, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Federation of Musicians, and Screen Actors Guild. Recently, Arthur traveled in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada, performing on keyboards, guitar and vocals with PETER FRAMPTON. Arthur can currently be seen on PBS TV’s SOUNDSTAGE, and in 2007 won a prestigious GRAMMY AWARD in recognition of his performance talents.

Willmore the Wizard
AKA Arthur Willmore Stead
Schedule a Program Today: Call 360-813-1220