Joseph Hoffman ("Mr. Hoffman") began playing the piano at age 6. In high school, he studied with Alfred Mouledous, pianist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. At Brigham Young University, Mr. Hoffman continued his musical training, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2000 (emphasis in Voice and Piano), and a Master of Music degree in 2005.

In 2002, Mr. Hoffman began teaching private piano and voice lessons. He quickly realized that being an excellent teacher demanded more than simply knowing how to play the piano well himself. Over the next several years, as his studio grew, he made it his personal quest to study all he could about childhood learning theory and actively sought out the very best methods of teaching piano. This led him to a serious study of many teaching methods and philosophies, including Suzuki, Kodaly, and Musikgarten. In his teaching, Mr. Hoffman draws upon his diverse musical training and experience to create a rich and engaging learning experience for each of his students.

Joseph Hoffman also has many credits to his name as a composer, teacher, conductor, and performer. He is a commissioned arranger of choral music, and his compositions and arrangements have been heard in many performance halls. When he can't seem to find the right piece for a piano student, he has been known to simply write or arrange it himself.

After receiving his Master's Degree in Music in 2005, Mr. Hoffman was appointed to the music faculty of Brigham Young University where he taught Music Theory and conducted the University Chorale.

In May 2007, Mr. Hoffman left his studio of over 40 students in Provo, Utah to make a new home for his family (consisting of wife Kelly and sons Isaac and Eli) in Portland. The whole family is excited to be in Portland, and Mr. Hoffman is looking forward to working with many new students and their families in the Portland area.

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David M. Thomas ("Dr. Thomas") received his doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting at Rimksy-Korsakov Conservatoire in St. Petersburg, Russia. He holds additional degrees in vocal performance and Russian language. His passion for performance excellence and instilling a life-long love of music comes from almost 20 years teaching experience, including appointments as artistic director of Portland Choirs and the principal conductor of the 200-voice Utah Valley Children's Concert Choir. Dr. Thomas (baritone) excels as a choral musician through his unwavering commitment to healthy vocal production in the choir. His article on Shostakovich was recently published in Classical Singer magazine, and Dr. Thomas presented research on preparing Russian texts for choral performance at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in March, 2007. He and his wife Emily (soprano) love performing and teaching music together and enjoying the wonders of life with their three girls.

Emily Thomas ("Miss Emily") made her first musical debut at the age of 3 on the fireplace hearth in her home and has loved performing ever since.  She had wonderful experiences as a member of the Utah Valley Children’s Choir and then later became a teacher in that same organization.  These early years of performance led to a Bachelor of Music Degree (Vocal Performance) from Brigham Young University.  She has toured as a performer throughout much of the U.S. and  also internationally in England, Russia and Lithuania.  She has a great passion for teaching, and especially loves the challenge and joys of teaching music to children.  She has been teaching children’s choir for 15 years and most recently partnering with her husband David in operating Studio Thomas: Music Performance Instruction. 
Becca Schultz ("Miss Becca") has been making music on the piano since she was 5 years old.  Miss Becca has a Bachelor of Music in progress from Portland State University in Jazz Piano Performance, and also enjoys playing classical, experimental, and rock music.  She currently writes progressive rock music for the Portland band Minds Align.  In 2008, Miss Becca became certified in Kodály Level I music instruction.  Also an avid singer, she sang in the IMEA Illinois All-State Honors Chorus in 2006.  Her teaching approach is holistic and tuned to each student’s individual strengths and needs.  Fluent in composing, performing, and teaching, Miss Becca helps her students reach their own creative musical potential.