Strings Faculty
Abigail Segura
Violin
Abigail teaches in person and remote lessons on Mondays and Thursdays.
Abigail Segura is a vibrant and passionate violin teacher who brings a unique blend of energy and compassion to her lessons. With a deep understanding of trauma-informed practices, she creates a safe and nurturing environment for her students to explore the world of music. Born and raised in the city of Odessa, Texas, Abigail grew up amidst the joyful chaos of a large family, consisting of four brothers and two sisters. Abigail's musical journey led her to Louisiana State University, where she earned her B.A. in Music under the guidance of Dr. Lin He.
Driven by a desire to make a positive impact, Abigail has actively engaged in community outreach and nonprofit work. In Baton Rouge, she dedicated her time and skills to three different nonprofits, collaborating on initiatives that brought music to underserved populations and instigated positive change through the power of the arts
Now, Abigail eagerly embraces the opportunity to serve the Nashua community, where she hopes to cultivate a love for music among individuals of all backgrounds. With her infectious enthusiasm and empathetic teaching style, she is committed to nurturing the musical talents of her students and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Hannah Turtle
Cello & Double Bass
Hannah teaches in-person and remote lessons on Tuesdays from 2-8pm.
Hannah Turtle, originally from Syracuse, NY, has been a passionate performer and educator across the country. Earning a degree in cello performance from New York University, she was a recipient of the Lawrence Ferrara Scholarship for outstanding musicianship. She has also studied at New England Conservatory and Syracuse University. She has performed as a soloist with the Moscow Ballet, as well as NYU Tisch, and in halls around the country; including Boston’s Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and more. With a keen interest in new music and 20th century works, she has debuted works by Noah Horowitz, Carmen Lustik, Sachin Shukla, and more. She has performed with renowned musicians Yannick Nézet-Séguin, David Kim, Emmanuel Feldman, Keina Satoh, Sunjay Jayaram, Dorothy Carlos, and more, as well as recorded music for film at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. As a teacher, Hannah enjoys working with students of all ages and backgrounds, combining traditional methods with a background in Alexander Technique and music theory to help students achieve a well-rounded music education. When away from the cello, Hannah enjoys writing, knitting, and lapidary arts. She is excited to join the NCMS community.
Peter Paetkau
Violin & Viola
Peter teaches in person and remote lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Peter Paetkau, violinist, is a founding member of the Boston-based chamber music collective Analog By Choice and a graduate of the Longy School of Music. As an orchestral, chamber, and solo musician, he has performed in a variety of venues across Canada, USA, Peru, and in Europe. He has performed professionally with ensembles including the Odyssey Opera Company, Fermata Chamber Soloists, Cape Ann Symphony, as well as Orchestra Without Borders and the Du Bois Orchestra where he holds principal positions. Paetkau has also taught lessons both for groups and individuals over a wide range of abilities and ages and currently holds teaching positions at Nashua Community Music School, and the New School of Music. Paetkau’s teachers have included Anna Williams of the Neave Trio, Bruce Coppock, Solomia Soroka, Rosalyn Trianno, and Jameson Cooper of the Euclid Quartet among others.
Through his work with Analog By Choice, Paetkau has curated and performed in concerts highlighting often overlooked composers using alphabet-themed programming. His interest in giving audiences tools for actively listening to chamber music has translated into partnerships with storytellers, artists, videographers, and other creative mediums who provide the audience with entry points into the complexities of classical music. ABC, now in its second season, has performed across the greater Boston area at venues including the Arlington Street Church, Allen Hall, and First Church in Cambridge. In addition to their regularly scheduled season, ABC focuses on education and has developed highly acclaimed performances for youth that are interactive and engaging.
Lauren Mann Chaney
Violin,Viola, & Cello
Lauren teaches in person and remote lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-7pm.
Lauren Mann Chaney has been teaching in Southern New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts for over 30 years. Her passion is teaching instrumental music to students of all ages and abilities. While her first love is the accordion, Lauren has an extensive career teaching Violin and Viola privately and in public and private schools. She founded and directed the Strings Program at Hollis Upper Elementary School in Hollis, New Hampshire. Lauren was the Director of Strings at Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts for 11 years where she taught private lessons on violin, viola, cello, and bass and conducted the student orchestra. Lauren also founded the Lowell Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in Lowell, Massachusetts where she was a conductor for 15 years.
Lauren has been a devoted member of the Hollis Town Band since 1998.
When she is not teaching music, she is playing with her grandchildren and taking care of her pig, Candy Violet.