Ilya Hoffman was born in Moscow in 1977 and began his viola studies at the Gnessin Music School under Professor Elena Ozol. He then entered the Moscow State Conservatory, where he studied under Professors

Thus far, Ilya Hoffman has won several awards, including First Prize at the Yuri Bashmet International Viola Competition (Russia, 2000), First Prize at the Gaetano Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition