Past winners
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2009-10
No winners selected
2008-09
No winners selected.
2007-08
No winners selected.
2006-07
Mark Steinert was the winner of the 2006-07 VCU Virginia Jazz Piano Competition. He received a cash award, a future VCU Jazz scholarship, the opportunity to perform within a VCU concert and prizes from some of the many sponsors, including JAMinc, Plan 9 Music, Richmond Jazz Society, Inc., Richmond Piano and the VCU Jazz Students Fund.
“The cash prize is nothing less than generous and it will help me out tremendously in affording college,” said Steiner. On the same note, the full-tuition offer is awesome. VCU has a great jazz program and I appreciate VCU’s hospitality and friendliness.”
The Virginia Jazz Piano Competition was adjudicated via CDs submitted by the entrants; part of the judging was conducted in “blind” review. Jurors included Antonio Garcia, director of VCU Jazz Studies, Bob Hallahan, former VCU Jazz piano faculty, and Russell Wilson, VCU Music piano faculty.
Read Steinert’s bio
At the time, Steinert was a senior at the Governor’s School for the Arts, a secondary performing and visual arts school based at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. He had been studying piano since he was seven and jazz since he was 12. His teachers have included Andy Pencola, Dave Adams and Liz Barnes. Three years prior to the competition, he studied independently, including opportunities with pianists Otmaro Ruiz, John Toomey and Barney McAll.
In 2001 and 2002 Steinert performed in the Telluride Jazz Celebration in Colorado as part of the Young Razzcals Jazz Project, headed by Adams. In 2003, he was selected as Best Soloist in the Virginia Music Educators Association District VIII Jazz Festival and in 2005 he was voted Best Rhythm Section Player in the JMU Tri-State Jazz Competition. In 2006, he was selected as Best Pianist in the JMU Tri-State Jazz Competition and Best Soloist in the Cape Henry Collegiate High School Jazz Competition.
In January 2006, Steinert was invited to play with saxophonist Alex Han as part of the 11th annual Festival de Jazz de Lapataia, Uruguay. The group was so well received that the lengthy encore included two of Steinert’s own compositions. Last July Steinert was one of four pianists internationally selected to participate in the second annual Grammy Camp, where he also played at a private fundraiser honoring the mayor of Los Angeles. Last August, Steinert was the only pianist in North America chosen for the Telluride Student All-Stars, headed by Bob Montgomery and John McNeil. During that week, he performed with five other chosen musicians at the Telluride Jazz Celebration and played his own composition on the main stage. Steinert intends to pursue music in college and make it his profession.
2005-06
Gianni Hobbs won the 2005-06 VCU Virginia Jazz Piano Competition, where she received a cash award, a future VCU Jazz scholarship, the opportunity to open a VCU concert and prizes from some of the many sponsors, including JAMinc, Jordan Kitt’s, Plan 9 Music, Richmond Jazz Society, Inc., Richmond Piano, STYLE Weekly and the VCU Jazz Students Fund.
“My goal is to always continue to grow, both as a pianist and a musician,” Hobbs said. “To that end, the competitions and programs sponsored by VCU for high school students offer the perfect venue for the young musician like myself to work on strengths and weaknesses, as we all work in the development of our craft.”
“I am mostly honored that participation in the piano competition offered me the opportunity to meet so many of our local jazz talents and, more importantly, that they have offered me support in my craft, encouragement in the form of positive feedback and the opportunity to join them in performances.”
“The best part about participating in the competition is that it never felt like such. The jazz community is a community that embraces its youths’ desire to learn by giving us role models to emulate. So I would like to thank Professor García and the VCU Jazz Program for sponsoring these programs that support the jazz artists of tomorrow.”
The Virginia Jazz Piano Competition was adjudicated via CDs submitted by the entrants; part of the judging was conducted in “blind” review. Jurors included Antonio Garcia (VCU Director of Jazz Studies), Bob Hallahan (former VCU Jazz Piano faculty), and Russell Wilson (VCU Music Piano faculty).
Read Hobbs’ bio
Hobbs, then a junior at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, began playing classical piano at the age of six, the violin at 10 and jazz piano at 11. She has studied classical piano with Buckner Gamby and jazz piano with Bob Hallahan, as well as James Carver and James Gates, Jr. Gianni is active in the Richmond Jazz Society’s Jazz Academy and has 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,” said Hobbs.
Hobbs has served as a piano instructor for young children and planned to major in music performance and business in college. When not playing music, she enjoys music as a company dancer with the Spotlight Studio dancers. As a sophomore, she placed as runner-up in the first VCU Virginia Jazz Piano Competition.
2004-05
When the VCU Jazz Piano Concert Series concluded Jan. 30, 2005, with a large crowd in attendance, faculty members Bob Hallahan, Randall Pharr and Howard Curtis presented a varied and exciting program. Yet they, too, were looking forward to hearing the latest from Calvin Brown, winner of the first VCU Virginia Jazz Piano Competition. Brown joined Pharr and Curtis for a set of “Speak Low” and “Dolphin Dance” that wowed everyone present, returning later to duo with Hallahan on “Teach Me Tonight.” Also recognized at the concert was the runner-up in the VCU Virginia Jazz Piano Competition, Gianni Hobbs.
“When you are young and studying jazz, it’s sometimes hard to avoid the idea that you are studying a dead language, said Brown. “Everything from TV to the radio seems to suggest that jazz is so eccentric that it is impossible for people to appreciate and support the music. VCU’s Jazz Piano Competition showed me something that radio and television did not.”
“As the winner, I was afforded the opportunity to perform with musicians of the highest caliber in front of an audience that was attentive and encouraging. The scholarship, various prizes and, most importantly, the chance to perform for an enthusiastic crowd confirmed my suspicion that jazz is not a dead language, that the music is still very much alive and that even now, as I continue to grow in it, I am carrying on the jazz tradition.”
The competition was adjudicated via CDs submitted by the entrants and part of the judging was conducted in “blind” review. Jurors included Antonio García, director of VCU Jazz Studies, Hallahan and Russell Wilson, piano faculty.
Read Brown’s bio
At the time of the competition, Brown was recognized as rising talent on the Richmond music scene. Then a junior at Atlee High School, where he was a member of the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, he became interested in the piano through the music he heard in church and began his piano training at the age of 13. He has studied with pianists Harriet Gilchrist, Debo Dabney, Billy Evans, Lee Covington and, most recently, Bob Hallahan and Russell Wilson. Since then, his progress has been steady and rewarding.
Brown’s performance credits include VCU’s Greater Richmond High School Jazz Band under the direction of Antonio García and Taylor Barnett, plus gigs at the Upper East Side Jazz Lounge, Bogart’s, The Bull and Bear Club, The Commonwealth Club and The Jefferson Hotel. In 2004 he won the Stu Gardener Talent Competition. He planned to continue to learn as much as he can about music in both real-world and academic settings.
Read Hobbs’ bio
Hobbs, then a sophomore at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, has received instruction from Bob Hallahan, James Carver, Buckner Gamby and James Gates, Jr. She was active in the Richmond Jazz Society’s Jazz Academy, the ARGS Jazz Band and the ARGS Madrigal Choir as its pianist. She has served as a piano instructor for young children and planned to major in music in college.
“One lesson taken from each one of my music teachers is the joy that comes from teaching a child to read, play and appreciate music,” said Hobbs. “So no matter what else I do in life, my main goal is to be part of a program that focuses on music education for children.”
The summer following the competition, Hobbs planned to intern in the music industry.
