Hoffman Academy
Online piano lessons for kids taught on video by Joseph Hoffman, using the Hoffman Method: sing and play by ear first, then read music. The video lessons are free; Premium adds practice plans, sheet music, audio tracks and games.
What is Hoffman Academy?
Hoffman Academy is an online piano program for kids. Joseph Hoffman, the founder, teaches every video lesson, often with finger puppets and a cast of silly characters. It started as in-person lessons in Portland, Oregon, in 2007 and now teaches thousands of students online.
The program is built on the Hoffman Method. Kids learn music the way they learn language: hear it, imitate it, then read it. They listen, sing with solfège, move, play the song, and only then see the notes.
How it works
A typical week has one short video lesson, then daily practice:
- Watch a lesson with Mr. Hoffman.
- Follow the Premium practice plan, which lists exactly what to work on each day.
- Play along with audio tracks, use the printable sheet music and worksheets, and play the theory and rhythm games.
Most kids practice 15 to 20 minutes a day. Older kids can run it alone. Younger kids do better with a parent nearby to help with the screen and keep an eye on posture. Hoffman calls the practice plans its way to tell kids what to practice "so parents don't have to."
What it covers
The free library includes hundreds of video lessons. They cover rhythm, note reading, ear training, solfège, music theory, improvisation, composition and technique, with classical and contemporary pieces. Students play real songs from the first lesson. Free Hoffman Academy lessons let you preview the full sequence before paying.
Who it's best for
Hoffman Academy fits kids starting piano at home, especially ages 6 to 8, and parents who don't read music themselves. It's a strong pick for homeschoolers who want a real music curriculum, not just an app. Kids who mainly want pop songs fast may like Simply Piano better. Browse more arts and music programs.
Pricing at a glance
The video lessons are free. Premium is sold monthly or yearly by card, with prices shown at checkout. For ESA and school purchases, Hoffman lists one-time memberships with no renewals: $144 for 6 months or $239 for 12 months, plus $72 or $119 for each extra family member (October 2026).
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often. Hoffman runs a separate homeschool payment portal with invoices for reimbursement, direct pay and purchase orders. It also sells charter school orders. Music lessons are a common eligible category, but each program decides. Start at our scholarships hub, then check states such as Arizona or Florida. Save Hoffman Academy to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
- Simply Piano gives instant note-by-note feedback and pop songs, but less theory.
- Piano Marvel adds graded sight-reading practice and works best with a MIDI keyboard.
- flowkey teaches through pianist videos and suits older kids and adults.
- Music Together is the gentler first step for babies through age 8.
See more homeschool curriculum options for every subject.
Who Hoffman Academy is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Kids about 5–10 starting piano at home
- Homeschool families wanting a complete, low-cost music curriculum
- Parents without a music background
- Families who value ear training, theory and composition
Look elsewhere if
- Students who need live correction of hand position
- Teens who mainly want to play pop songs quickly
- Families wanting an app that grades every note in real time
Hoffman Academy pros and cons
Pros
- Free video lessons with a warm, engaging teacher
- Teaches playing by ear and reading music together
- Daily practice plans tell kids exactly what to work on
- Sheet music, worksheets and games tied to each lesson
- One-time ESA and school memberships with no auto-renewal
Cons
- No live teacher to correct technique
- Slower to reach popular songs than song-first apps
- Young kids may need a parent to navigate and stay focused
- Monthly and yearly card prices are only shown at checkout
What’s included
- Hundreds of free video piano lessons with Mr. Hoffman
- Ear-first Hoffman Method: listening, singing, solfège and movement before notation
- Premium guided practice plans after every lesson
- Unit books, sheet music, theory worksheets and flashcards
- Play-along audio tracks and interactive music games
- Progress tracking for parents; teacher studio tools
How much does Hoffman Academy cost?
As of October 2026, Hoffman Academy's video lessons are free to watch with an account. Premium can be bought with a card as a monthly or yearly subscription on hoffmanacademy.com (current prices are shown at checkout). For ESA, scholarship, grant and charter families, Hoffman sells one-time memberships with no recurring charges: 6 months for $144 ($24 a month) or 12 months for $239 (about $20 a month). Extra family members cost $72 for 6 months or $119 for 12 months.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium, 6 months (one-time, ESA/school) | $144 | One-time | — |
| Premium, 12 months (one-time, ESA/school) | $239 | One-time | — |
| Extra family member, 6 months | $72 | One-time | — |
| Extra family member, 12 months | $119 | One-time | — |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Homeschool reviewers summarized by HomeschoolTools consistently praise Mr. Hoffman's engaging, humorous teaching and the ear-before-eye approach, and say it works well for parents without musical training. The common caution, raised on the Well-Trained Mind forums, is to watch for proper finger technique and pacing, since there's no live teacher.
Common praise
- Kids enjoy Mr. Hoffman's humor and puppets
- Makes music theory approachable for young children
- Works across ages and is easy to resume after breaks
Common complaints
- Parents need to watch technique and posture
- Video lessons need intentional scheduling
- Pacing can drag or rush for some kids
Hoffman Academy family reviews
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Hoffman Academy FAQs
Is Hoffman Academy free?
The video lessons are free with an account. Premium membership adds guided practice plans, unit books and sheet music, play-along audio tracks and interactive games.
How much does Hoffman Academy Premium cost?
Card subscriptions are monthly or yearly, with prices shown at checkout. For ESA and school purchases, Hoffman lists one-time memberships of $144 for 6 months and $239 for 12 months as of October 2026, with extra family members at $72 or $119.
What age should my child start Hoffman Academy?
Hoffman Academy says ages 6 to 8 are generally a great time to start piano, when hands are big enough and fine motor skills are ready. Younger children can begin with a parent's help, and adults use it too.
Is Hoffman Academy a good homeschool music curriculum?
Yes, it is one of the most popular. It teaches ear training, rhythm, note reading, theory and composition in sequence, and Premium practice plans make it close to open-and-go.
Can I use ESA funds for Hoffman Academy?
Often. Hoffman offers invoices for reimbursement, direct pay and purchase orders for 6- and 12-month memberships through its homeschool payment portal. Your program decides whether it qualifies, so check your rules and save it to your Edulist wishlist.
Do I need a real piano for Hoffman Academy?
You need a piano or keyboard to practice. The lessons work with acoustic and digital instruments, and you watch the videos on a computer, tablet or phone.
Who is Mr. Hoffman?
Joseph Hoffman is the founder and on-screen teacher. Hoffman Academy began as in-person lessons in Portland, Oregon, in 2007 and now teaches online.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: