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to listen to, and partly because she
thought Wrigley would be physically wellsuited
to it: he has large hands, which is
an advantage.
“I chose it for him, and he took to it right
away,” Nikki said. “He loves it.” When
Wrigley turned nine, Nikki found Sue
Stein, a cellist with whom Nikki performs,
to begin private lessons with Wrigley.
“He was beyond what I could teach him
on the cello,” Nikki said.
r
Janet Shell, the Strings Orchestra Director
at Bradenton Christian School, first
met Wrigley three years ago, when he
demonstrated the cello for her incoming
fifth graders. Wrigley was only seven. It
turned out his performance influenced five
students to take up the cello, according
to Shell. “I thought he was incredibly
advanced for his age,” Shell said.
This year, Wrigley will be serving as Shell’s
assistant in the Beginning Strings Class.
He will be helping to teach the other
cellists, in the modest and sensitive way
that makes him a “favorite” among the
students, Shell said.
According to Shell, who has a degree
in music education and plays the violin
professionally, Wrigley “undoubtably”
could have a career as a cellist. “As a
cellist, his technique is impeccable, his
sight-reading and performance are aboveaverage
for his age,” Shell said. “I think
that Wrigley probably will be a well-known
professional musician one day.”