Programs
The Suzuki Method
The Suzuki Method is often referred to as the mother-tongue method. Shinichi Suzuki realized that the principles of language acquisition could be applied to learning music. He believed that musical talent was not inborn, rather it could be developed in a loving, nurturing environment through hard work and repetition.
Key components of the Suzuki Method:
Parent Involvement. Parents accompany children to lessons (through at least fifth grade), take notes, offer encouragement, practice daily at home, and learn the basics of violin themselves.
Daily Listening. Children listen daily to recordings of the repertoire they are learning. They have pieces memorized before they ever learn them on the violin.
Review and Repetition. Each piece in the Suzuki repertoire teaches a building block for violin playing. Reviewing “old” pieces is essential to keep violin ability strong and learn new techniques.
Group Classes. Students have both private lessons and group classes. Students learn ensemble, leadership, and note reading skills in group classes. Group classes offer a first glimpse into the joy of making music with other people. They are a great motivation for young musicians.
You can read more about Shinichi Suzuki on the Suzuki Association of the Americas website here.
Traditional Lessons and Chamber Music
Older beginners and middle/high school students who have been playing for a while do not need as much parental support. I offer traditional lessons for these students. This simply means lessons and practice are done more independently and there aren’t group classes.
I recommend chamber music for these students!
Unfortunately, I do not teach adults.
Schedule 2024-2025
September 4 - First Day of Lessons
October 31: Halloween - No Lessons
November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break - No Lessons
(YES Lessons on November 12)
December 23- January 5: Winter Break - No Lessons
February 17 - 21: Mid-Winter Break - No Lessons
April 7 - 18: Spring Break - No Lessons
May 14: No Lessons
May 26: Memorial Day - No Lessons
June 5: Last day of lessons
Hoffman Violin/Viola Studio Policies 2024-2025
When you join the studio, you are committing to an academic-year-long program. The Suzuki program tuition covers 33 private lessons, 16 group class lessons, two recitals, and administrative fees. The traditional program is identical, minus the group classes. I teach summer lessons in June and July. Those are separately from the academic year tuition.
Tuition rates available upon request.
Paying Tuition
You can pay monthly (nine payments, September - May)
By semester (September and February)
Please note: tuition is prorated throughout the academic year. Some months will have more lessons than others due to holidays and school vacations.
I accept checks or electronic payments via Zelle (leahhoff@gmail.com). Tuition is due the first of the month. There is a $25 late fee for tuition payments received after the fifth of the month.
The No Make-up Policy
When you sign up for lessons, I reserve time for your child in my schedule. If you miss a lesson or are late to a lesson, that time is gone and I do not offer make-ups. If you are traveling or have a work conflict, occasional Zoom lessons are fine.
Sick Policy
If you are sick, please do not come to your lesson!!! If you are mildly ill, we can do lessons over Zoom. Please do not come to a lesson if:
Your child is in the first few days of a cold and has a runny nose/cough
Your child or anyone else in the household has had a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. You must be symptom free for over 24 hours (without medication) to attend an in-person lesson.
If your child is too sick to go to school, s/he is too sick to come for lessons.
I offer one make-up/year for illness if you are too sick to have a Zoom lesson.
Teacher Absences
If I am mildly sick, I will teach over Zoom. If I am too sick for Zoom lessons, I will make up missed lessons.
Make-up Lessons
Make-up lessons must be completed by the end of the semester.
Schedule Conflicts
Life happens and you will undoubtedly have a scheduling conflict at some point. Please try to switch lesson times with another family in the studio. I provide a studio roster and lesson schedule to all families. Please contact other families directly to arrange a trade.
Withdrawing from the studio
If you withdraw from the studio mid-year, one month of tuition is due after the last lesson so I have time to fill the spot. If you have paid for an entire semester, I will prorate your tuition and give you a refund (minus one month’s tuition).
Note: By enrolling in the Hoffman Violin/Viola Studio, you agree to these policies.
Testimonials
“Leah is an amazing violin teacher. When my daughter asked for lessons, we were incredibly fortunate to find Leah whose teaching style so well matched my daughter’s learning style.
Leah is encouraging and patient with students and has what seems like hundreds of age-appropriate methods to demonstrate and explain techniques of playing violin. There were lots of games and fun activities during the first years of her lessons; as she progressed in her violin playing the methods Leah used became increasingly sophisticated.
My daughter appreciated Leah’s attention to details and specific instructions as well as her work to prepare my daughter for playing in an orchestra. I always appreciated that while the lessons were enjoyable for my daughter, Leah always took the music seriously, making needed corrections and noting when my daughter hadn't practiced. I highly recommend Leah!”
— Karen
“Leah is awesome! She was our daughter’s first violin teacher and worked with her from age 4 to 13. Leah has creative and fun ways to learn the fundamentals of the violin but more importantly, Leah teaches how to love the music. Leah practices what she teaches. To our great enjoyment and surprise Leah was part of the community orchestra our daughter was playing in, so the two of them got to make music together again. We highly recommend Leah.”
— Dolly & Mac Smith
“My 6-year-old rejected everything online during the panedmic except violin lessons with Leah. This was the highlight of a very difficult year, a beacon for my child, a true blessing for our family. Thank you, Leah, for doing such a beautiful job teaching her to play and love the violin!”
-Kathryn Sievers, Boston Symphony Orchestra
“When my daughter started violin at age four, she was extremely shy and reticent to even reply back to her new teacher. Through Leah’s steady explanations and positive support, she has blossomed into a confident player and is enjoying the process of learning and playing violin.
Leah’s core teaching is through the Suzuki method, which focuses on listening and learning by ear; however, it was a revelation to me that she also incorporates sight reading, etudes, and scales to build technique throughout the process -- she does this with impressive patience, knowledge and skill.”
— Akiko
“Leah Hoffman was our daughter’s first violin teacher from the age of 5 to 15. Not only is Leah a skilled violinist, she is a master teacher with an incredible relate-ability to children of all ages. She is kind, patient and warm, has high expectations delivered in an age-appropriate manner that honors each child and engages their interest. Leah had an instrumental role in our daughter’s musical journey as well as her early childhood. She was a consistent and positive force and we feel incredibly fortunate to have met her many years ago. Leah embodies every quality you hope for in people who teach your kids—she is a true gift to the Suzuki musical community.”
— Lila O.
Instructor Leah Hoffman
Leah teaches in her home studio in Pinehurst (NE Seattle). She has been a dedicated and passionate teacher for over 19 years. She was on faculty at the Suzuki Institute of Seattle from 2006-2021. She is an active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA) and has completed teaching training courses with Cathy Lee, Edmund Sprunger, Allen Lieb, Joseph Kaminsky, and Joanne Melvin. A life-long learner, she loves taking continuing education courses every summer. Most recently, Leah earned her Level 1 endorsement in Paul Rolland String Pedagogy. She was a violin and viola coach for Marrowstone in the City (now SYSO Summer Music) for thirteen years and coached viola sectionals for the Seattle Youth Symphony’s Debut and Junior Symphonies from 2006-2011.
Leah is a member of NOCCO (North Corner Chamber Orchestra) and enjoys performing chamber music with colleagues. She is a former member of the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas in Miami Beach, Florida.
Leah earned her Bachelor’s degree in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and her Master’s degree in viola performance from Rice University. Her teachers include Heidi Castleman, Mark Jackobs, Victoria Chiang, and Wayne Brooks. She has studied chamber music with the Cavani Quartet, members of the Cleveland Quartet, Norman Fischer, and Anne Epperson.
Outside of teaching, she enjoys nordic skiing, ballroom dancing, camping, cooking, trying new restaurants, and reading on her Kindle.
Contact Leah
leahhoff@gmail.com
206.300.0233