ABOUT US
We’re a DMV-based events management firm that’s been delivering for our clients for over a decade. Our specialty? Making things happen. We assemble the right teams, stay ahead of the details, and deliver for you. We’re experienced at turning complicated requirements into executable plans. No red tape. No runaround. Just people who know how to get things done.
Meet the team
Jauvon Gilliam
Founder + CEO
Jauvon is a GRAMMY-winning musician with more than a decade of experience building the company’s portfolio across nonprofit, commercial, and government sectors. As Founder + CEO, he provides executive oversight across all engagements, fosters relationships with clients and organizations nationwide, and shapes the company’s strategy and long-term goals.
He also currently serves as Principal Timpanist of the National Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2009. His vast performance credits include collaborating with other GRAMMY-winning artists, performing with several of the world’s leading orchestras, teaching at top-tier institutions, and partnering with major musical instrument brands. He has been covered by several national and international media outlets, including the BBC, CBC, NPR, PBS, NBC, Fox News, Billboard, the New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Business Journal, and the International Musician. This global performance experience informs his leadership approach to team-building, project execution, and corporate infrastructure. Click here to learn more about Jauvon.
Jauvon is a graduate of Butler University.
Sabrina Peterson
President
Sabrina brings almost a decade of leadership experience in event production, conference management, and public-sector contract coordination. As former Vice President of Forte Management Services and Director of Operations for Capitol Percussion, she has played a central role in shaping the systems and standards that support The Marcel Group’s work today. As President, she helps guide the company’s strategic vision while managing the protocols, processes, and teams that ensure client satisfaction across our entire portfolio. She serves as a primary point of contact for many of our partners, including the National Park Service, Aspen Music Festival and School, DC Executive Office of the Mayor, and several Smithsonian institutions.
Outside of work, Sabrina maintains a career as a performer, appearing with the Virginia, Fairfax, Maryland, and Alexandria Symphonies, as well as the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the Maryland Winds. She has also been a coach for the DC Youth Orchestra and music programs in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, working closely with developing musicians at various levels.
Sabrina is a graduate of Florida State University and the New England Conservatory.
Cathy Arevian
Creative Advisor
Cathy is a seasoned executive with more than three decades of experience delivering complex, high-visibility live events and managing multidisciplinary production teams across government, corporate, and nonprofit environments. Known for clear communication and sound judgment, Cathy plays a central role in aligning our clients’ creative vision with executional reality. She has led projects requiring tight coordination across design, technical production, film, and concert events, with a consistent record of delivering against demanding schedules and strict budget requirements.
Cathy is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
Lee Arevian
Creative Advisor
Lee brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the events industry, with a track record of scaling complex events across both public and private sectors. He has led growth strategies for major national conferences, trade shows, and events, spanning military, design, hospitality, jewelry, and photography markets. A former Fortune 500 executive, he provides senior guidance on sponsorship development, stakeholder engagement, financial oversight, and program structure for all of The Marcel Group’s projects.
Lee is a graduate of American University.
Erica Spear
Vice President, Operations
Erica Spear, DMA, leads day-to-day operations across the company’s portfolio. She works closely with executive leadership to shape operational strategy, coordinate project delivery, ensure consistency across client services and productions, and guides the teams responsible for delivering the company’s work. She has held previous roles with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Washington National Opera Orchestra, and the National Orchestral Institute and Festival, supporting scores of major productions and collaborating with internationally recognized artists.
Alongside her leadership work with The Marcel Group, Erica maintains an active career as a professional flutist. She performs regularly with ensembles across the DC region, including Annapolis Opera, Sound Impact, Company E, the Pan-American Symphony, and the Great Falls Philharmonic.
Erica is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Appalachian State University.
Corey Sittinger
Vice President, Logistics
Corey oversees logistical workflows and personnel management to ensure the seamless movement and readiness of our company’s large equipment inventory. In addition, he is a specialist in the restoration and maintenance of rare and complex instruments, including Thai gong tuning and the mechanical and electronic restoration of vintage keyboards, such as Rhodes pianos and Hammond B3 organs. Corey’s proactive mindset ensures the company’s assets are always performing at peak efficiency.
Beyond The Marcel Group, Corey’s work is deeply influenced by his life as a professional percussionist and educator. As a founding member of the new music ensemble Matchstick Percussion, he brings an innovative, performer-led perspective to his technical work.
Corey is a graduate of Penn State, the University of Maryland, and Towson University.
Vic Beresford
Lead Production Manager/Technical Director
Vic has over 40 years of hands-on experience in live event production, offering a comprehensive understanding of every phase of event execution, from concept development to live broadcast delivery. With an impressive resume that includes directing, designing, writing, and producing, Vic has led production teams for landmark national events, including the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Dedications, the MLK Memorial Dedication Concert on the National Mall, and major televised festivals featuring internationally recognized artists and dignitaries. He has extensive experience working within military and civilian protocol environments and coordinating with federal agencies, national press, and Secret Service teams, supporting events attended by multiple U.S. Presidents and senior government leadership.
Vic, a United States Army veteran, is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Darian Bess
Director
Darian serves as the Director of The Shed DMV, overseeing daily operations and event support at one of the region’s busiest rehearsal facilities. He manages scheduling and artist services while also supporting technical production needs as the lead audio technician for The Marcel Group’s events. Additionally, he leads the company’s social media efforts, helping to communicate our mission and connect with the broader artist community. His combination of technical skills and frontline client work makes him a key part of the experience artists have when they walk through the door.
An accomplished mixing engineer with more than 20 recording credits, Darian is also an active performer in the region. He has appeared with chamber ensembles throughout the Washington, DC area, including the Choral Arts Society of Washington in the East Coast premiere of Damien Geter’s An African American Requiem.
Darian is a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University.
John McGovern
Manager
John, DMA, manages field and warehouse activities on the team. The breadth and variety of John’s decades of musical experience lead to a range of specialized roles that are an essential part of the team he contributes to daily – including live guitar support, classical percussion upkeep and maintenance, and long-distance instrumental cartage for top-tier classical ensembles and other artists, to name a few.
John previously served six years as a percussion studio graduate assistant, alongside working on his dissertation, which is the first comprehensive musical study of the cowbell. He has extensive experience as both an orchestral timpanist and percussionist, performing with the New Orchestra of Washington, the Apollo Orchestra, the Symphony of the Potomac, and the National Institutes of Health Philharmonia, among others.
John is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Florida State University.
Marcus Pratt
Manager
Marcus is a sound designer who also specializes in stage production and theatre tech design. From mixing and engineering to backline, lighting, set design, and operational logistics, Marcus is a jack-of-all-trades. With his experience across all art forms, working with talents such as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Virginia Arts Festival, Tony DiSilvestro’s business expo, and Pharrell’s Something in the Water, Marcus has developed adaptability and quick problem-solving skills that consistently highlight his work. Since joining The Marcel Group, Marcus has leveraged his skills to elevate our events, ensure efficient equipment deliveries and a top-notch vehicle fleet, and foster a welcoming team environment.
Marcus is a graduate of Old Dominion University.
Hinaki Kiyohara
Event Specialist
Hinaki is one of our skill lead field technicians with extensive experience in live-event stage/tech management. She specializes in warehouse operations, equipment preparation, repair, and tuning of our inventory. Her work includes supporting large-scale productions and tour preparations, where organization, precision, and reliability are critical. With hands-on experience in both warehouse and on-site environments, she consistently contributes to the smooth, successful execution of events.
In addition to her company work, Hinaki is a classically trained percussionist. Her musical background includes solo and ensemble performances, as well as participation in major concerts and festivals. This foundation enhances her technical expertise, allowing her to approach equipment handling and sound with a musician’s sensitivity and attention to detail.
Hinaki is a graduate of the Nagoya (Japan) College of Music and SUNY-Fredonia.
Sean Reddish
Event Specialist
Sean is a key member of our operations team, responsible for critical field and warehouse activities that keep our clients’ productions moving. His primary focus is pulling, testing, prepping, and delivering equipment, ensuring every piece of gear arrives on time, is set up, and is ready for the event.
With an extensive background in customer service, Sean excels at building seamless, positive relationships with clients and venue staff alike. He is more than just a logistics expert; he also supports the maintenance and repair of our inventory.
Sean brings a unique perspective to the technical side of the business. With a background in sculpture and metalsmithing, he is highly proficient in both metal and woodworking. He leverages this skill set to provide creative, efficient troubleshooting and custom solutions in the field and the warehouse.
Sean is a graduate of Towson University.
WHY THE MARCEL GROUP?
PERFORMANCE DNA
Built by performers who understand what it takes to prepare, execute, and create memorable live experiences.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
Care, responsiveness, and respect for the craft show up across every interaction and every engagement.
DRIVEN BY PRECISION
Every detail matters because it shapes how a room feels and how a moment is remembered.
A HIGHER STANDARD
Elite execution across events, rehearsal, and rentals without feeling cold or overbuilt.
“No meaningful event comes together on its own. It takes a disciplined team, shared standards, and people who understand what it means to deliver when it matters. At The Marcel Group, a performer’s mindset and a culture of service guide how we help clients prepare, execute, and ultimately own the room. Excellence is the standard. Culture is how we deliver it.”
– Jauvon Gilliam
Founder + CEO of The Marcel Group
