William Hobbs was born on May 22, 1943, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Hobbs began playing the piano at a young age and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Hobbs attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne. He also studied with Adele Marcus and Mieczyslaw Munz. During his time at Juilliard, Hobbs won several awards, including the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. After graduating from Juilliard, Hobbs began his career as a concert pianist. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso performer, known for his technical skill and musical sensitivity. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Hobbs was also a dedicated chamber musician, performing with some of the most renowned ensembles of his time. He was a founding member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and performed regularly with the Guarneri Quartet, the Tokyo String Quartet, and the Emerson String Quartet. Throughout his career, Hobbs was known for his commitment to contemporary music. He premiered many new works by leading composers, including Elliott Carter, John Corigliano, and George Perle. He also recorded several albums of contemporary music, including works by Charles Wuorinen and Milton Babbitt. Hobbs was a prolific recording artist, with over 50 albums to his name. He recorded the complete piano works of Chopin, Schumann, and Debussy, as well as works by Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. His recordings were widely praised for their technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. In addition to his performing career, Hobbs was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the New England Conservatory of Music. Many of his students went on to successful careers as performers and teachers. Hobbs received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was a recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Fellowship, and the Naumburg Award. He was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. Hobbs continued to perform and teach until his death on December 31, 2016, at the age of 73. He was remembered by his colleagues and students as a brilliant musician and a dedicated teacher, whose passion for music inspired generations of performers and audiences.

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