Modulo

Hoffman Academy

Recommended Ages

K-12th Grades

Hoffman Academy is an online piano program that offers a full sequence of free video lessons supported by paid practice materials and courses. Teacher Joseph Hoffman leads students through carefully sequenced units that blend ear training, note reading, rhythm, and theory, often using folk and classical songs kids recognize. Developed to make high-quality piano instruction more accessible, the program has gained a strong following among homeschool and DIY music families. Parents appreciate the clear, kid-friendly teaching style and the ability to rewind lessons as needed. It’s ideal for elementary learners through adults who have access to a keyboard or piano and can practice consistently. Printed materials and premium features do cost extra, but many families start with the free videos and upgrade as interest deepens. To get the most from Hoffman Academy, set a regular practice routine and sit in on early lessons so you can support technique.

Best for kids around 6–12 who can focus on short videos and enjoy learning songs at home, and for families who want a solid, secular foundation in piano without commuting to a studio; also helpful for older beginners who like working independently with occasional parent check‑ins.

Pros

Highly respected online piano program that offers a full sequence of free video lessons plus affordable premium practice materials, making quality music instruction accessible to many homeschoolers; families praise Mr. Hoffman’s clear, playful teaching style, the emphasis on ear training and understanding rather than rote, and the ability to use one account with multiple children at home. 

Cons

Because lessons are video‑based, students don’t receive live feedback on hand position or technique unless a parent or outside teacher watches and corrects them, so some reviewers caution against relying on it as the only instruction long‑term; younger kids may wander without a parent nearby during practice; and printing or purchasing the workbooks and premium membership adds cost, though still usually less than in‑person lessons.

Because Hoffman Academy is relatively low-cost and delivered online, some homeschool charter programs and ESAs will reimburse Premium subscriptions or lesson-material purchases as music instruction, while others ask families to pay out of pocket; you’ll need to confirm with your specific funding provider whether online music programs like Hoffman qualify.

Free to $20/month

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Hoffman Academy
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Skills

What kids will learn
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Music
Music
Piano
Piano

Hoffman Academy Mission

The mission of Hoffman Academy is to make high-quality piano education accessible, affordable, and genuinely fun for families everywhere. Through carefully sequenced video lessons, interactive online practice tools, and printable materials, the program helps children build strong musicianship—reading, rhythm, ear training, and technique—while nurturing a lifelong love of making music. Hoffman Academy aims to give families the benefits of a conservatory-trained teacher in a flexible, at-home format that works for both homeschoolers and traditionally schooled kids.

Hoffman Academy Story

Hoffman Academy began when piano teacher and composer Joseph Hoffman started recording short video lessons for his students so they could review concepts between lessons. He posted those videos online, expecting only his own studio to use them, but they quickly attracted viewers from around the world who appreciated his clear explanations, playful teaching style, and emphasis on solid fundamentals. Seeing the need, Joseph and his wife Kelly co-founded Hoffman Academy as a structured online piano program with free core lessons and an optional membership for practice tracks, games, and extra resources. What started as a few homemade videos has grown into a full curriculum with millions of views, helping families who might not otherwise have access to private lessons give their children a rich start in piano.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Hoffman Academy

During a Hoffman lesson, your child watches Mr. Hoffman on screen as he demonstrates a short pattern, then pauses to try it on their own keys, listening closely for matching sounds. You might hear clapping rhythms, singing solfège syllables, or a simple song like “Hot Cross Buns” echo through the house as your child moves between the piano and the laptop or tablet. The tone is friendly, gently humorous, and very child-centered.

Hoffman Academy teaches piano through a series of more than 300 pre-recorded video lessons paired with printable materials, interactive games, and optional Premium features like practice tracks and progress tracking. Families create a free account, set up a keyboard or piano at home, and then follow short lessons that introduce technique, ear training, reading, and theory in a spiral sequence; kids can move at their own pace, repeating lessons as needed, and Premium subscribers unlock structured practice plans, online games, and additional resources.

Especially for younger learners, Hoffman Academy works best with a “practice partner” parent who watches at least the first few lessons, helps establish good posture and hand position, and provides reminders and encouragement. Older kids can navigate the platform independently, but parents still track progress and help enforce a consistent practice habit.

Beginners need only a tuned piano or keyboard with at least 61 keys, a device with internet access, and the ability to focus on 10–15 minute videos; reading helps but is not strictly required at the very beginning, as many instructions are spoken and demonstrated.

Hoffman Academy’s video‑plus‑printable piano lessons are strong for many profiles: visual demonstrations, ear training, and incremental steps support autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic learners. Because practice is self‑paced, families can keep sessions short, reduce written theory, and focus on joyful playing for kids with motor or processing challenges.

Hoffman Academy’s online piano lessons use friendly video modeling, clear visuals, and interactive games so kids with sensory processing differences can learn music at home at a pace and volume that feel safe.

Often a great fit for musically inclined 2e kids: short, structured video lessons, lots of review, and the chance to pause and replay. Because pacing is flexible, you can let a gifted musician race ahead while lowering expectations for daily practice on rough sensory or executive‑function days.

Hoffman Academy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on Premium memberships so families can try the full program and request a refund if it’s not a good fit, while free accounts and many downloadable materials simply carry no financial risk beyond any optional purchases.

Not ideal for very young children who need a lot of physical guidance at the keyboard, or for serious high‑school musicians preparing for advanced exams or conservatory auditions, who typically need in‑person instruction; families who struggle to carve out regular practice time may also find the program languishes unused.

Alternatives include local in‑person piano teachers, live online lesson platforms, other video‑based methods like Playground Sessions or Simply Piano, or combining Hoffman’s free videos with a local teacher for periodic feedback.

Hoffman Academy regularly adds new units, songs, and features to its online platform, and has introduced a mobile-friendly interface, revamped practice tools, and updated lesson materials to keep the program fresh for both new and longtime students.

Schedule Hoffman time on the calendar like any other lesson, and once a week sit beside your child for a short “check‑in lesson” where you watch posture, hand shape and rhythm—noticing and encouraging good habits early prevents frustration later.

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Meet Joseph

Joseph Hoffman is the founder and head teacher of Hoffman Academy, known to students around the world simply as “Mr. Hoffman.” Trained as a classical pianist and music educator, he has spent many years teaching children in private studios and group settings and has developed a teaching approach that combines ear training, reading, theory, and improvisation from the very beginning. His video lessons are filled with call-and-response games, storytelling, and occasional puppet cameos, which help young learners stay engaged while tackling real musical skills. Joseph’s goal is to make quality piano instruction available to any family with an internet connection, not just those who can afford traditional weekly lessons.