Meet the Student: Q&A with Cellist Nygel Witherspoon

Nygel Witherspoon, from Minneapolis, Minn., entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2019 and studies cello with Peter Wiley. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Mr. Witherspoon is the Richard A. Doran Fellow.

What is your first musical memory as a child, and what circumstances led you to pick up the cello?
I grew up in a very musical household; my older brother and sister both began taking music lessons when I was around two years old. Personally, I don’t remember much from that time, but my first teacher recounted that I used to hum violin repertoire at that age (my older sister played violin). Shortly thereafter, I began taking violin lessons. This lasted for a few months before I told my mother I wanted to play “the big one,” by which I meant the cello, and then began taking cello lessons at age three.

Could you share a few inspirational moments you have experienced since you arrived at Curtis?
Honestly, it’s difficult to pick out a few specific moments since my entire time here has been massively inspirational on the whole. I remember, though, when I first stepped into the 1726 building on the day of my audition; that was the most nervous I have been for anything music-related in my life! But everyone there that day—the students I met, as well as my fellow auditionees—was so kind and so dedicated to music that I was immediately immersed in this world. Indeed, the world here at Curtis has a way of separating itself from the world outside (figuratively and, to some degree, literally, too!). The environment here is something quite special and something which has changed my life by no small measure.

Mr. Witherspoon discusses his instrument and plays a few selections in the Schubert Club Music Museum.

Who are some of your musical idols?
From a cellistic standpoint, someone who I have always admired is [the late] Emanuel Feuermann (who, coincidentally, taught here at Curtis). There is something about the ease of his approach to the instrument that is quite mesmerizing and which I have striven to emulate myself.

From a musical standpoint, however, I greatly respect my teacher here, Mr. Wiley, who continues to urge me to explore new possibilities in music. Something he has quoted to me, which really resonates with me, is that “we are humans first, musicians second, and instrumentalists last.” This has been very inspirational to me as I continue striving to develop myself as a person and musician.

Mr. Witherspoon received first prize at the Sphinx Competition Junior Division in 2019. 

When you are not playing the cello, what are some of your hobbies and interests?
Something I really enjoy is spending time outdoors. Being from Minnesota, I have fond memories of summers spent on the northern shore of Lake Superior, which is one of my favorite places to visit. I also have two dogs and a cat at home, who I love spending time with when I’m home for breaks.

What advice do you have for aspiring young cellists who might be on the fence about pursuing a performance career?
Music is a human endeavor. To those aspiring musicians, I would say that there is only something to be gained from giving it a shot. While this is quite a competitive field, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that music is something to be celebrated and a wonderful thing to be a part of!