

"...a talented innovator and songwriter who deserves more attention in the coming years as she continues to explore Americana."
-Kimberly Bright, Americana UK
Charissa Hoffman’s story is as eclectic as her instrument. A 6th-generation musician raised in Nashville, TN, her path to music seemed inevitable, but her choice of instrument- the ukulele- came out of nowhere. Through the influences of genre-bending artists like Chet Atkins and Duke Ellington, she soon exceeded expectations for her instrument, establishing herself as a formidable chord-melody player and earning a spot as the first ukulele principal to be accepted to Berklee College of Music in 2017. Her songwriting earned her a place as participant in the prestigious Acoustic Music Seminar, and frequent comparisons to Joni Mitchell and Judee Sill. “The comparisons to Joni Mitchell have never been stronger but this is a woman claiming her own space”. (Danny Barnes)
Charissa is recipient of Berklee’s Fletcher Bright Award and has performed in clubs and festivals across the country, including Club Passim, Caffè Lena, FreshGrass Festival (through Berklee’s American Roots Music Program), RockyGrass (as a guest performer with Uncle Earl), and Midwest Ukulele Camp (alongside faculty like Bakithi Kumalo). She’s also recorded with artists including Béla Fleck and Kenny Werner (Ammu’s Treasures).
Musically, Charissa distills her influences and experiences to “transport the listener to beautiful new worlds.” (Matt Glaser) She is both a wistful, introspective songwriter, and an intentional instrumentalist who is driven to break down barriers for her instrument. She draws on singer-songwriter roots and jazz training in her music, creating dreamy, ethereal melodies for her listeners.