About Me:

I began playing the cello in a public school orchestra program in 4th grade (much like many of my students.) I went on to obtain Music Performance degrees while studying at the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, Boston University, and the University of Kentucky. I spent summers at Eastern Music Festival, Musicorda,  the Meadowmount School of Music, the Chautauqua Institute, and Manchester Music Festival. At each level of study, I have been mentored by incredible teachers who have not only shaped me as a cellist and musician, but also as a person. These remarkable pedagogues inspired me not only to perform at the highest level, but also to teach students with a similar combination of expertise, wisdom, patience, and joy.

I originally pursued my doctorate so that I would be able to teach cello at colleges and universities. Yet, the more teaching that I did outside of higher education, the more I realized that my passion extended beyond just college students. I have witnessed the excitement on a 4 year-old's face after performing for the first time and I have seen the tears in the eyes of a 75 year-old student who is overcome with gratitude for what they are able to accomplish on the cello. The gift of being able to make music is not just for talented, young students hoping to make it a profession; it is truly for everyone. My job is to take students, wherever their starting point might be, and help them forge their own individual cello journey.

I have been teaching privately since 2002 and my students are making the world a better place every day. They  are cellists, doctors, nurses, parents, translators, music teachers, non-profit leaders, graduate students and so much more. Through my cello lessons, students build confidence, perseverance, creativity, and communication skills which serve as an undercurrent for life-long learning and personal development. And they get to do so by developing mastery of the most beautiful instrument.

Official Bio:

Originally from Connecticut, cellist Leah Hagel-Kahmann completed her DMA with Benjamin Karp at the University of Kentucky as a recipient of a Kentucky Opportunity Fellowship. Dr. Hagel began her studies at the University of Michigan as a Rogel Scholar before transferring to the University of Wisconsin to study with Uri Vardi. She completed her MM at Boston University where she served as Assistant to the String Department under Michael Reynolds.

An avid teacher as well as performer, Dr. Hagel has taught at the University of Kentucky, Centre College, and at Grand Valley State University. Additionally, while maintaining a large private studio in Kentucky, she served on the faculty of the Central Music Academy, the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, and as Director of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras' "Friends in Music", an after-school string mentoring opportunity reaching students in underrepresented populations.  Dr. Hagel also worked with CKYO's Preparatory String Orchestra as the Assistant Conductor.  She has coached chamber music at the University of Wisconsin, for the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, for CKYO, and for the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras. In 2014, Dr. Hagel was named KY ASTA's "Studio Teacher of the Year."

Since arriving in Illinois, Dr. Hagel has enjoyed playing in many of the great local orchestras while welcoming her son and daughter to the world. In addition to her home studio, she teaches in the D200 and U-46 school districts. She founded and directs the String Orchestra at McHenry County College and is the cello instructor both there and at Northeastern Illinois University.