DULUTH — Ruth Conry didn’t always want to be a violist. The 20-year-old Duluth native, currently in her sophomore year of college for violin music performance at Schwob School of Music in Columbus, Georgia, said it was her twin brother, Marcus Conry, who got her into it.
According to her mother Kara Conry, Marcus would take his toy ukulele into the backyard and grab a stick and pretend to play the instrument like it was a violin.
“So that’s how I started Suzuki lessons with him and then I dragged the twin sister along because why not?” Kara said. “And now she kept going and is going to be a professional musician. She always says she’s so glad I made her play the violin.”
Ruth is preparing to play a recital in Duluth that will raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. She’s playing in honor of Marcus, who was diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age.
“We’re always interested in what we can do to promote further understanding of the disease and research so answers can be found,” Kara said. “This is also a way to connect with her brother as music has always been a healing thing for him and our family.”
Ruth said when her brother is playing his violin, that’s one of the few times he never has seizure activity. That’s why she has kept raising money to help further research in the field continue.
Ruth has busked on the Lakewalk in the past to raise funds, but this year she and her mother decided a recital would be the way to go.
“At my school, we have juries at the end of the spring semester and a concerto competition, so I had the repertoire prepared and ready to be out there,” Ruth said. “And I figured with coming home, it would be fun to share it with friends and family and anyone who wants to come.”
Ruth has a selection of mostly classical music, including pieces by George Gershwin, Ernest Bloch’s “Baal Shem” and a rhapsody by Bela Bartok.
“It’s a win-win. It’s a chance for Ruthie to perform, to connect with her brother and spread more awareness and raise some funds as well,” Kara said.
The recital is set for 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, at Weber Music Hall at the University of Minnesota Duluth. No set admission fee will be collected, but donations will be accepted for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.
Teri Cadeau is a features reporter for the Duluth News Tribune. Originally from the Iron Range, Cadeau has worked for several community newspapers in the Duluth area, including the Duluth Budgeteer News, Western Weekly, Weekly Observer, Lake County News-Chronicle, and occasionally, the Cloquet Pine Journal. When not working, she’s an avid reader, crafter, dancer, trivia fanatic and cribbage player.