Hope Hoffman's Fiddle Lessons / Free Grange Productions

Hope Hoffman  has been teaching fiddle music in the Bowdoinham area since 2001, and opened Free Grange Music Studio in the summer of 2009. She enjoys teaching beginners, including many adults, as well as coaching experienced students. Her work at a Montessori preschool and years of teaching children's dance classes provides a creative and engaging teaching style for working with young students and parents (ages 3 and up).

Located on Center Street in downtown Bowdoinham (at corner of Main St./Route 125, behind Fox Real Estate; look for the landmark of window boxes of colorful flowers). Directions at www.hopehoffman.org.

Overview

My early training was classical violin, and since moving to Maine nine years ago, I have learned a variety of techniques and tunes by listening to and playing with local traditional musicians.

I frequently perform violin/fiddle music for festivals, dances, weddings and other events, including concerts of my original compositions.

I teach private lessons (children ages 3-5 with parents; ages 5 and up; and adult students at all levels including beginners), and small group classes (2-3 students, scheduled/organized by those students).

Instrument sales and rentals info is at www.hopehoffman.org/linksmusic.htm

Teaching Experience

I've been self-employed since 1999 as a performing artist, dance teacher, writer, editor and musician. I studied and performed dance continuously since 1980, and have taught ballet, modern dance and creative movement since 1998. I also performed many original theater shows featuring live music at the Bowdoinham Town Hall. Highlights of my work include assistant teaching at a Montessori preschool, and directing a modern dance company and a children's dance camp. I've worked with children often, in academic and in artistic settings, including teaching children's theater and movement classes which feature musicians as part of the teaching staff. Building on all this experience as a teacher, and as a music student, I began teaching fiddle music in 2002, and look forward to assisting many more students in their musical adventures!

Teaching Style

The technical aspects of playing the violin I learned as a child are important to pass on to students, and my wealth of experience as a performer and performing arts teacher have expanded my teaching methods. My proficiency as a fiddler, including improvisation and subtle and rhythmic bowing techniques, is an ever-growing study in style, artistry and practical methods inspired by playing with and closely observing master fiddlers in Maine. Years of teaching ballet and modern dance, and studying yoga and theraputic stretches, has given me lots of insight into how to explain the positioning of hands and arms and helps me coach students on maintaining a healthy technique.

I read and write music fluently, and teach mostly by ear, unless the student prefers otherwise. I play basic rhythm guitar to accompany students as they play the melody, and to help them learn to play chords and rhythm parts on the fiddle.

My nurturing, encouraging teaching style incorporates ideas learned as a writer, dance teacher and theater director.

I strongly encourage students to explore their own ideas and follow their own style of creative expression; and I guide them in developing a practical and sophisticated technique, balanced repertoire, and perpetual excitement about learning more on their instrument.