Gianni Hobbs is a junior at Appomattox Regional Governor's School For the Arts and Technology. She began playing classical piano at the age of six, the violin at age 10, and jazz piano at age 11. She is currently studying classical piano with Buckner Gamby and jazz piano with Bob Hallahan; other teachers include James Carver and James Gates, Jr. Gianni is active in the Richmond Jazz Society's Jazz Academy and has also performed with the ARGS Jazz Band and the ARGS Madrigal Choir (as its pianist). "But playing with all of the great local jazz talent I've met over the last couple of years has been the best music education anyone could have," says Gianni.

She serves as a piano instructor for young children and plans to major in music performance and business in college. When not playing music, she is enjoying music as a company dancer with the Spotlight Studio dancers. Last year, as a sophomore, she placed as runner-up in the first VCU Virginia Jazz Piano Competition.