Strings Faculty
Brittany Stockwell
Violin & Viola
Brittany teaches in person lessons on Tuesdays 2-8pm and Thursdays 2-8pm.
Brittany Stockwell, MAT is a Musician, Teacher, Healer, & Creative Entrepreneur working at the intersection of music, arts, and wellness. She joined the NCMS Strings Faculty in 2025, where she brings her heart-centered, whole musician approach to teaching violin and viola - helping students of all ages and abilities build solid technique while exploring creativity, confidence, and personal growth.
A classically trained Suzuki violinist since age four, Brittany has performed everywhere from Symphony Hall and the House of Blues in Boston to the banks of the Bayou in Louisiana as well as internationally. She became a full-time musician - performing and teaching - in 2016 while pursuing her Masters in Teaching. She has played everything from Vivaldi to the Dropkick Murphys and loves to teach all genres of music, teaching both acoustic and electric. Known early on as The Purple Violinist (because of her love of the color and her bright purple electric violin).
With over 20 years of experience performing and over 10 teaching, Brittany combines formal pedagogical training with a holistic lens, drawing from her background in educational psychology, growth mindset, yoga, mindfulness, and Reiki. Her teaching supports the whole person, nurturing both artistry and well-being in a welcoming, student-centered space.
In addition to teaching at NCMS, Brittany serves as the school’s Marketing Coordinator and continues to perform, consult, and collaborate with other Creatives guided by the belief that staying in tune with your true self, your artistry, and your community has the power to transform lives.
Peter Paetkau
Violin & Viola
Peter teaches in-person lessons on Mondays from 2-5:45pm (thru Dec ‘26) and Wednesdays 2-8pm.
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 is currently available by appt only.
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.