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When you are professional violin players that play all around the United States, you are used to being pretty well compensated for your performances.  However, when the group Revamped heard about Maddie Shura, they decided that they wanted to do what they could to help the Myers second grader out.

On January 7^th at 2 p.m., the musical duo of Mr. Mark Minnich and Mrs. Sally Williams Minnich, who together form the group Revamped, will be performing at the Bellwood-Antis High School Auditorium.

This concert is not just any concert though; this is a “Music for Maddie” concert and all proceeds will go to  Maddie Shura and the Shura family.  Maddie was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer last May.

The cost to watch these accomplished violinists is $6.  Tickets can be purchased at Tanner’s Hardware, the Bellwood-Antis Middle/High School main office, and at The Door.

The couple has been performing together for nearly a decade, playing in lands as distant as Greece.

“I’ve been playing violin for about 17 years, and we’ve been playing as a duo for eight years,” said Mr. Minnich.

The group is more than just a violin duo. The pair have been married for four years, so they came together to decide that putting on a concert for Maddie was something that they would like to do.

“Colleen Buckner asked Sally and I [to put on a concert]; I used to teach Colleen’s daughter, who’s been Maddie’s friend for some time now,” said Mr. Minnich.  “We brainstormed a little and decided that Sally and I could donate some time to help put on this event.”

Mrs. Williams Minnich said they knew the Shura’s cause was a good one.

“We feel it’s important to help others, so while we typically need to charge for our concerts, since it is how we earn a living, we also occasionally give of our time and talents when it’s for a good cause or helping someone in need,” said Mrs. Williams Minnich.

The concert will feature music for all ages as the two bring the precision of classical training together with the energy of pop music

“We’ve been playing together since 2008, married in 2012, and in addition to custom creating all of our arrangements, we’ve invented several new ways of playing two violins,” said Mrs. Williams Minnich.  “These stunts attract a wide audience, but our ultimate goal is for the tricks and stunts to add – never detract – from the music, so producing artistically high quality arrangements is our priority.”

Both musicians are highly trained with a wealth of performing experience. Mr. Minnich has a B.M. in Violin Performance from Bowling Green State University, an M.M. in Violin Performance, and an M.A. in Music Theory and History from Penn State.

Mrs. Williams Minnich holds bachelor’s degrees in violin performance and music composition and a master’s degree in violin performance from Bowling Green State University as well as a master’s degree in music education from Pennsylvania State University.

Both musicians also teach music classes at Grier School, as well as at the State College Suzuki Program, where Mrs. Williams Minnich is the Creative Director.