Hailed as "note perfect" and "Zeus-like" (BBC Radio), Jauvon Gilliam was named principal timpanist of the National Symphony Orchestra in 2009 -- the first African-American principal in the history of the organization.

Gilliam has also performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, San Fransico Symphony, Detroit and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras, Budapest Festival Orchestra, the Chinekel Orchestra, the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Hi is also timpanist for the All-Star Orchestra, a made-for-PBS group of musicians from orchestras across North America. He was also timpanist for the Bear Valley Music Festival for three seasons.

Gilliam has appeared as soloist with the National, Baltimore, and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras. As well as at Carnegie Hall with the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Gilliam is currently Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Maryland. His students hold positions in symphony orchestras, military bands, and at universities around the globe. Gilliam has taught clinics at institutions across North and South America, Europe, and Africa; including the Aspen Music Festival, Interlochen Arts Academy, New World Symphony, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He is co-founder of the annual Washburgh Timpani Seminar, a timpani coach for the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, and on the artist/faculty roster of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival.