HOPE HOFFMAN

VOCALS & STRINGS; SOLO & ENSEMBLE

ACCOMPANIMENT FOR SINGERS & BANDS

TRADITIONAL & ORIGINAL MELODIES

VIOLIN / FIDDLE / VIOLA

[ Link to Online Booking Form for Event Planners ]

Waltzes and gentle folk melodies, as well as lively Celtic, Old-time/Southern, French Canadian, and Scandinavian fiddle tunes for all types of events.

I'm sensitive and experienced at playing music for theater productions, and can find the right sorts of tunes for a particular time and place.

My fiddle has a pleasant, clear tone, so it can fit into a calm atmosphere; or if the occasion calls for it, the fiddle can carry rollicking dance tunes over a long distance. My viola has a rich, colorful tone and powerful projection.

I sing a cappella and also accompany myself on guitar.

I can sight-read sheet music and also learn by ear, and am very comfortable improvising.

I've performed and recorded tracks with singers and bands backing up their vocals, and enjoy doing that very much.

Recordings:

2010, Traditional Irish Instrumentals

2007, Live CD & Tunebook of Original Maine Fiddle Music

In 2008 I recorded with the Mutineers on their album"Coal Creek." The way the fiddle was recorded makes it sound like a harmonica, which I think is great fun. I improvised fiddle parts for the tunes "Little Maggie" and "Love Divine;" both these tracks are reviewed by the Maine Switch in Portland, excerpted here: "Thanks to the emotion with which MacDonald sings and a swelling fiddle line, courtesy of guest Hope Hoffman, the track remains one of the most nuanced and lovely moments on the disc." [link to full review]

Reviews:

Concerts of country duet singing and backup fiddling

CD of traditional Irish instrumentals

Live CD and performances of original Maine dance tunes

Parent-Child Creative Folk Dance with Live Music

Press kit & photos:

www.hopehoffman.org/presskit.htm

Audio samples:

Irish instrumentals

Solo vocal and banjo

Accompaniment for vocalist
Barn dance fiddle
Appalachian and Carter Family songs
Weddings, restaurants & events

Original instrumentals
My live album of original Maine fiddle music includes solos (tracks 10 and 14); the album is available online as single-track downloads.

Composing:

My original fiddle tunes can be licensed with a contract for recording and other media projects.

Video samples:

Singing and fiddling "Another Way" with Jim Tolles

Singing and fiddling "June Apple" with Jim Tolles

Fiddling for a contra dance at Colby College

Improvising backup for "Barbara Allen" at the Mutineers' CD release concert.

Résumé:

A sampling of my previous professional music experience since 2001

[Link to All Hope's Bands and Ensembles]