As an English music student Hoffman took lessons with de Meyer, Pleyel, Moscheles, Rubenstein, Dohler and Liszt. At the age of sixteen he emigrated to the United States where he made his debut in New York performing Mendelssohn's G-mol Concerto and Hummel's Septet. He was afforded the opportunity to travel with Jenny Lind on her tour of the U.S. and soloed often with The New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Hoffman appeared with Gottshalk, under the baton of Bulow, and for the fiftieth anniversary of his debut. He composed in excess of one hundred piano works and songs including "My love is like a red, red rose."