Betty Haag-Kuhnke, founder of Magical Strings of Youth and the Betty Haag Academy, is an internationally acclaimed violinist and teacher. A graduate of Indiana University, she studied with Josef Gingold and worked directly with Shinichi Suzuki in Japan before bringing the Suzuki method to the U.S. She went on to establish one of the first large-scale Suzuki programs in the country, teaching hundreds of students from a single classroom.

Her career as an educator and mentor spans DePaul and Northwestern Universities, international festivals, and master classes across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Under her direction, students have performed at the Vatican, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the White House, as well as throughout the world.

Recognized with numerous awards, including the Illinois String Teachers Association Outstanding Studio Teacher Award and the Ars Viva Award of Excellence, she has inspired generations of young musicians. Her lifelong dedication to music education continues to shape future artists and leaders, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence and artistry.

Diane Leland teaches violin, viola, and piano at the Betty Haag Academy of Music, where she has been a faculty member since 1987. She holds a Master’s degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from Eastern New Mexico University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, near her hometown of Salina. 

In addition to teaching at BHA, Diane serves as the concertmaster and librarian of the Harper Symphony Orchestra and is an active church musician. She also spent 15 years as an orchestra substitute teacher and piano accompanist for School District 23 in Prospect Heights. 

Both of Diane’s daughters studied at BHA with Jackie Fisher and Marina Lerner. Her older daughter pursued music and is now the orchestra director at Hampshire High School, while her younger daughter works in the hospitality industry in Denver, CO. Diane’s husband, an actuary and avid concertgoer, is a devoted supporter of their musical endeavors.

Yonghee Hong-Park is a violin instructor with over 29 years of teaching at the Betty Haag Academy of Music. She has a distinguished record of working with students ranging in age from 2 ½ to 17, providing both private and group instruction. Yonghee also plays a key role in preparing students for annual school concerts, assisting with violin repertoire classes, and supporting performances by the academy’s renowned ensemble, Magical Strings of Youth. 

Yonghee holds a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University’s esteemed String Department and a Bachelor of Music from Seoul National University, South Korea’s premier music institution. She has also earned a teaching certificate from the Suzuki Association of the Americas and has developed her own unique approach to violin instruction. By blending traditional and Suzuki methods, she has successfully nurtured the technical and musical development of young violinists. 

Beyond teaching, Yonghee is an accomplished chamber musician. Since 1998, she has been a founding member of the En Gedi Ensemble, performing regularly in Chicago, San Diego, and Seoul. In addition to her work as a violinist and educator, Yonghee is also a dedicated accompanist, further demonstrating her commitment to music and collaboration.

Tiffiny Blake has been immersed in music since the age of three, studying violin under the legendary Mrs. Betty Haag-Kuhnke. Surrounded by incredible teachers and mentors throughout her life, Tiffiny developed a rich understanding of both violin technique and student development.

With a formal background in Communication, Media, and Theatre from Northeastern Illinois University, Tiffiny has always kept music at the center of her life. She was a two-time recipient of the university’s talent scholarship, performed in the school orchestra, and took on leading roles in numerous theatrical productions—twice incorporating her violin playing into her on-stage performances.

Tiffiny’s mission is to share the gift of music with as many children as possible. She believes in challenging students to reach their highest potential while creating nurturing relationships that foster both musical excellence and personal growth. Over the years, she has organized countless concerts, tours, and camps, creating lasting memories and meaningful performance opportunities for her students. 

In addition to violin, Tiffiny has training in choir and dance, further enriching her understanding of musical expression and performance. Becoming a mother of two has deepened her appreciation for early childhood development and helped shape her teaching style with more insight. Outside of the Academy, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her two toddlers.

Jacqueline Fisher teaches violin at the Betty Haag Academy of Music in Buffalo Grove. She holds both a bachelor's and a Master’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of Illinois, where she received a full scholarship and a Teaching Assistantship. During her undergraduate studies, she was awarded the Smith Scholarship, won the undergraduate concerto competition in her senior year, and was a two-time second-place winner of the Paul Rolland Competition. 

An active performer, Jacqueline is a first violinist with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and frequently substitutes with the Elgin Symphony. She is Suzuki-certified through all 10 books and has taught at numerous Suzuki and traditional workshops across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. She also spent nine years coaching chamber music at the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, serving as CMI Director for three of those years. Twice recognized with the America’s Who’s Who in Music Award. 

Jacqueline is passionate about teaching children. Her positive attitude, enthusiasm for music, and boundless energy inspire her students to work hard, enjoy the learning process, and build confidence through lessons and performance opportunities. In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and two cats.

Jessica graduated cum laude from Northwestern University in 2012, earning a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She studied under Gerardo Ribeiro, professor and coordinator of the Strings Program at the Bienen School of Music. While there, she played in the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, the Baroque Music Ensemble, the Contemporary Music Ensemble, and as the concertmaster for several Northwestern operas and conducting recitals.She spent several months in France studying a classical music program in the northern suburbs of Paris that was working to foster reconciliation among youth following the 2005 Paris youth riots. 

Jessica holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland (2016), where she continued to explore the intersection between music and conflict resolution. She performed as a member of the UMD symphony orchestra and for chamber recitals, and played a full solo recital under continued violin study with Dr. James Stern, professor and coordinator of the Strings Division at UMD. Jessica moved back to the Chicago area with her husband and two daughters in 2025. Her oldest daughter is now studying violin at the Betty Haag Academy as well!

Marina Lerner is a graduate of the Gnesin State Musical - Pedagogical Institute, a highly esteemed institution during the USSR era. She holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the GSMPI. She studied under B.Berlin and later continued under E. Lieberman.

She was a faculty member at the State Music School for Gifted Children in Moscow and has over 30 years of experience as a piano instructor. Marina Lerner has been a faculty member at the Betty Haag Academy of Music since 1992.

Karen Hallier holds a Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from DePauw University and a Master's degree in Violin Performance from the University of Southern California.

Passionate about music and teaching, Karen has been instructing students at the Betty Haag Academy since the age of 15. With years of performing and teaching experience, Karen is dedicated to nurturing the love of music in children of all ages, striving to create an inspiring and enriching environment for each student. Through a personalized approach, Karen Hallier aims to instill both technical skills and a deep appreciation for the art of music and playing the violin.