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 is also on faculty of the Continuing Education Division at Harper College and is the Instructor of Cello at McHenry County College.