Jauvon Gilliam was named Principal Timpanist of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in 2009.
Gilliam regularly has performed as Guest Principal Timpanist of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. He is also timpanist of the All-Star Orchestra, a made-for-PBS group comprised of players from orchestras across the United States.
Gilliam has performed with The Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. He was previously timpanist of the Bear Valley Music Festival for three seasons.
Prior to his NSO appointment, Gilliam was timpanist of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) for seven years. While in Winnipeg, he was also timpanist of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and, for a time, played drum set for the WSO pops series.
As an educator, Gilliam has taught clinics at universities, institutions and conventions across Canada and the United States, including the Interlochen Arts Academy, Aspen Music Festival and School, New World Symphony and Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He is Co-Director of Percussion Studies/artist-in-residence at the University of Maryland, Co-Founder of the annual Washburgh Timpani Seminar and a timpani coach for the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. Previously, he was Coordinator of Percussion Studies at the University of Manitoba.
A native of Gary, IN, Gilliam began his musical career playing piano, winning his first national competition at age 11. He received a full scholarship in piano performance to attend Butler University, but later changed to full-time percussion study. He graduated with honors with a degree in arts administration and then continued his graduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Gilliam received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater in 2014.
Gilliam proudly endorses Yamaha Musical Instruments, Remo drumheads, Sabian cymbals and Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets.
