A Juilliard graduate, Stewart Hoffman’s broad musical experience ranges from performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Canadian Opera Company to gigs playing drums and jazz vibraphone. A dedicated educator, Stewart has over 30 years of experience teaching orchestral percussion, jazz vibraphone, jazz, rock and pop drum lessons in Toronto, Canada.
Stewart was a member of the private teaching staff at Crescent School for 17 years. He currently teaches private drum lessons, percussion and vibraphone lessons from his Toronto studio and online, and presents percussion clinics on both sides of the border for both teachers and students.
Stewart’s book, The Band Teacher’s Percussion Guide: Insights into Playing and Teaching Percussion is published by Oxford University Press. (See Full Biography)
- Rock and jazz drumming
- Concert snare drumming and percussion
- Vibraphone, xylophone, or marimba techniques
- Jazz improvisation on mallet instruments
- Reading skills on all instruments
Take Private Drum Lessons in Toronto
Stewart’s drum lessons are first and foremost musical experiences, with power, speed, flexibility and independence skills all studied in order to meet musical ends.
While each student’s goals and interests play a large part in the planning and direction of his or her drum lessons, Stewart places a strong emphasis on the development of a secure and relaxed technique on both snare drum and drum set.
Students of all ages and experience are welcome.
Drum lessons may include the study of:
- rock and funk grooves
- jazz independence
- drum breaks, fills and the development of solos
- snare drum rudiments
- advanced reading and drum charts
Band and Orchestral Percussion Lessons
Students studying band and orchestral snare drum and mallet instruments will learn techniques based on those developed by the legendary Elden C. “Buster” Bailey, snare drummer of the New York Philharmonic for 42 years, and Stewart’s percussion teacher at Juilliard. Stewart’s goal is to provide student’s with a technique that is quick, controlled and – most importantly – relaxed. Developing reading skills and studying solo works for all instruments (which may include important orchestral excerpts and works for multiple percussion) are important components of the program.
Students of mallet percussion (xylophone, vibraphone, marimba) may chose to study 4-mallet techniques, music theory and vibraphone dampening and pedaling techniques.
With undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from the Juilliard School in New York City, Stewart is highly qualified to prepare students for arts-based high schools, university or college entrance auditions.
Jazz Vibraphone and Improvisation
Fundamental to jazz vibraphone performance, along with reading skills and 2- and/or 4-mallet techniques, is the study of improvisation. Students begin improvising with the blues, and continue with popular song and the classics of the Great American Songbook.
Listening skills are developed through ear training, studying jazz theory, chord-scale relationships and chord voicings. And all musical skills will be enhanced through careful listening to the music of great artists of the past: from Lionel Hampton to Milt Jackson and Gary Burton; from Charlie Parker to Stan Getz and Bill Evans . . . or any great artists that may serve as an inspiration.
Fees
- Half-hour lessons: $40.00
- 45-minute lessons: $55.00
- 60 minute lessons: $70.00
Location
Stewart’s music studio is located in Toronto between the Greenwood and Coxwell subway stations just south of Danforth
Online lessons
Stewart has been successfully teaching lessons online for the past several years. Whether you live in Toronto or outside of Canada, if you’re not sure online lessons are for you, contact Stewart to set up a complimentary half hour introduction online.
For further information
Contact Stewart, or Call 1.416.462.9615
Seymour-An Introduction, a doc about one of the most inspiring #musicteachers you will ever meet. On #TvOntario Website now. Fascinating insights on music, and a touching biography of a brilliant #educator .
#piano #MusicEd #percussion #OUPMusic
https://www.tvo.org/video/documentaries/seymour-an-introduction
#BandTeachers, it's time to review your #percussion inventory. This list from my Band Teacher's Percussion Guide (Oxford University Press) should help. Look to The Guide to answer your questions on playing and teaching percussion. Wishing you a successful year #MusicEd, #OUPMusic
3The brilliant, Berlin-based #Vibraphonist David Friedman to perform with Canadian jazz royalty at Toronto's #JazzBistro (Aug 13/22). Presents live-streamed Masterclass Aug 10/22. https://stewarthoffmanmusic.com/?p=4618
#BandTeachers, learn to play and #TeachPercussion with the author of The Band Teachers Percussion Guide (Oxford University Press). Study #SnareDrum, #mallet techniques and effective evaluation for classroom success! @OUPMusic #MusicEducation https://stewarthoffmanmusic.com/videos/#mxYouTubeR:d43001206b7da79795698d4186dfc1c8-14
Wonderfully loose, inventive playing from the great Dave Goodman in Sydney . . .
Back on the horse…after nearly three months without a computer🐴 Dig my new Sonor Phonic D505 PA Re-Issue snare! Dedicated to Dr James (Jim) Clark @sonor_drums @Bosphorus_TR @remopercussion @InnovativePerc @dwdrums @prologixpads @ProRacketCases @RocNSoc #music #drums #drummer
Seymour - An Introduction is a brilliant, riveting doc about Seymour Bernstein, one of the most inspiring teachers you will ever meet. It's a fascinating masterclass on musical interpretation, and a touching biography of one of the great educators. Teachers and students - and anyone with a soul really - should watch it while they can at TVO.ca (The wonderful educational station TVOntario. I hope it's available in your area.)![]()
"The most important thing that music teacher's can do for their pupils is to inspire and encourage an emotional response, not just for music but, more importantly, for all aspects of life." - from Seymour - An Introduction
Seymour - An Introduction | TVO Today
www.tvo.org
Meet Seymour Bernstein: a genius pianist, beloved teacher and true inspiration who shares eye-opening insights from an amazing life. Acclaimed actor/director Ethan Hawke helms this compelling film.
For all my Band Teacher friends, here is the list from my "Band Teacher's Percussion Guide" (Oxford University Press) to help guide you through a review of percussion inventory (yes, it's that time of year!) You'll find answers to all your questions about playing and teaching percussion in "The Guide" - available everywhere on your favourite online bookstores! Wishing you all a successful year!
Don't miss hearing the brilliant vibraphonist, David Friedman, perform with Canadian jazz greats Bernie Senensky (piano), Neil Swainson, (bass), and Terry Clarke (drums), in what promises to be a truly extraordinary event!!
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
Don't miss this rare opportunity in Toronto for vibraphonists or any musician interested in learning from a jazz giant. David Friedman, is both a legendary vibraphonist and a brilliant teacher, who developed the jazz program at Berlin's University of the Arts. Seating is limited. Reserve your spot now. For those out of town, the event will be live-streamed. See details below.
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
The great Bob Becker plays and talks about the xylophone . . .
See the 'greatest xylophone player in the world' at Sound Symposium | CBC News
www.cbc.ca
Percussionist Bob Becker was introduced at St. John's Sound Symposium as the "greatest xylophone player in the world." He was quick to say he hated the title, but his performance made it hard to argue...