Meet The AOC Salon Team

Dalbe Markman

Owner / Head Master Stylist / Salon Educator

dalbe@aocsalon.com

AOC Salon is owned and operated by Dalbe Markman. Dalbe Markman prides herself in providing a warm, friendly and hip environment for people from all walks of life. She makes every effort to greet guests with a relaxing ambiance and the highest quality of salon services. Markman says “her greatest success is having an amazing team of employees and moving forward with love and support of family, friends, and clients who encourage her to transcend all boundaries.”

Brian Markman

Owner / Manager

brian@aocsalon.com

Brian strives to provide not only excellent customer service, but warmth when welcoming you into AOC Salon. He believes the key to a successful business is having an amazing team. Brian makes every effort to greet guests with a relaxing ambiance and the highest quality of salon services. When he is not working he enjoys spending time with his wife Dalbe and two daughters Liza and Karyna.

Brian welcomes you to AOC Salon.

Julia Sorensen

Master Stylist - Ghent

Julia has been in the industry for over 13 years. She knew from a young age that hair was her passion. Since Julia has been with AOC, she has excelled and continued her education. You can see her true passion she had as a little girl in her work. Not only will Julia create beautiful hair for you, but you'll be sure to have a good time while she's doing it!

Lindsay Riccio

Master Stylist - Ghent

Lindsay's passion for hair began when she could barely walk. She pursued Cosmetology in high school and has been thriving in the industry ever since!

Sabrina Hayes

Master Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Sabrina is originally from North Carolina, but moved to the Hampton Roads area and joined our team shortly after in 2013! She began with us as a front desk coordinator, but quickly realized she was interested in the world of hair, so she began the apprenticeship program with us. Sabrina has been behind the chair ever since! She specializes in balayage, but loves all things color. Sabrina is also certified in multiple extension techniques.

Audrey Lane

Master Stylist - Hilltop

Originally from the Chicagoland area, Audrey traded in the wind and snow shovel for the ocean and a beach chair! She has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2006 and loves being a part of this ever evolving industry. Audrey believes staying current in her education is important.

Brenda McGovern

Master Stylist - Hilltop

Brenda joined the AOC team in 2021 with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She moved to Virginia Beach from the beach town of Tela, Honduras and is happy to attend clients in Spanish or English. Brenda has a passion for color, and her goal is always to work with guests to make sure they go back out into the world with the confidence that comes with expressing their own authentic style. When she is not in the salon, she enjoys spending time with her four children and husband.

Megan Ambeault

Master Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Megan started her career as a stylist at Rudy and Kelly academy in 2017. After 1,200 hours of hard work she graduated from cosmetology school. Right after, she received the opportunity to work as an assistant at AOC Salon and further her education. Megan has now been behind the chair full-time since 2020 and is so excited to continue to grow in her skills and help everyone around her feel more beautiful.

Oliver Kelly

Master Cutter at AOC Ghent

With over 20 years of experience in the hair industry, Oliver has worked as a hair educator and celebrity stylist. Oliver specializes in highly detailed intuitive cuts that can be self-styling with great grow out in mind.
Specialties include: short hair, curls and texture, razor cuts and shags, fades, classic barber cuts, hair that is thinning, and transformation cuts.
Oliver loves hanging out with his fluffy dog, writing books, & making music.

Keely Day Mauer

Senior Stylist - Hilltop

Few things bring Keely more joy than witnessing her clients walk out of the salon with a smile and a big boost in their self-confidence! She prides herself in helping people enhance their natural beauty. Keely's specialties include Beach inspired balayage and lived in natural color, but she is always up for helping clients gain that exclusive, individual style they’re seeking. She loves staying educated and current on the newest and upcoming hair trends.

Daniel Bacon

Master Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Elise Henderson

Senior Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Elise has always known since she was young, that the beauty industry is where she belongs. Elise's main goal every time is for her clients to walk out feeling gorgeous with their heads held high! She will go the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable in her chair from start to finish. Elise specializes in lived in hair, balayage, textured hair, and bobs. When not behind the chair, Elise enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and their 2 kids, reading, gaming, and going to the gym!

Gabby French

Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

I was the kid in Highschool with crazy colors. Loved art and decided to do hair. Went to Paul Mitchell Sherman Oaks California and been licensed since 2013. Over the years, I’ve invested in my education. Professionally worked as a color specialist instructor for Paul Mitchell and a salon manager for ULTA. But my real love is doing hair and making people feel good about themselves with hair that fits their lifestyle. I love color- blonding, grey blending, grey coverage, and hair cutting.

Kathleen Smith

Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Born in DC and raised in Maryland, Kathleen has always dreamed of being a beautician. She recently graduated from Aspen Beauty Academy along with her hair extensions certification. Her vibrant charismatic energy allows her to make clients feel as comfortable as can be. Her passion keeps her eager to learn and leave people with a smile because she feels she hasn't hit the pinnacles she plans to reach.

Rachel Rephan

Stylist - Hilltop

Brinley Russell

Stylist - Hilltop

Brinley Russell has a gift for creating glamorous, lived in, low maintenance looks for her clients. A North Carolina Native, Brinley recently relocated to Virginia Beach to join the AOC Salon team! Inspired by the sea, Brinley breezed into town just in time to help you create that fresh, Spring and Summer style you’ve been dreaming about! When she’s not behind the chair, she’s at the beach with her pup.

Liza Markman

Junior Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Lizzy is originally from Ukraine; she was adopted 12 years ago by Brian and Dalbe Markman. After spending most of her childhood around the salon, she realized at a very young age that she wanted to do hair! Lizzy has been with AOC Salon since she was 15 years old, and started working on the floor as a stylist in August 2022. She completed the cosmetology program in high school and is eager to continue her hair education! Lizzy can't wait to meet you and have some fun in the chair!

Ghita (Rita) Chraibi

Junior Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Born in Morocco and raised in Virginia, Ghita has always had passion in the beauty industry. Ghita takes the time to listen and ensure she understands the needs and goals of the client. She has been a personal apprentice to Dalbe Markman for the past 6 years, learning precision cutting, Davines color, and salon managing duties. AOC salon has been her second home away from home. On her time off Ghita loves to travel and explore other countries and cultures.

Madeline Alkire

Junior Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Since a young age Madeline has loved the hair industry. She began assisting bridal hair at the age of 12; she knew then hair was what she wanted to pursue. To Madeline, there is nothing like connecting with clients and making them feel even more beautiful. She is always down for a spunky new creation whether it be vivid color or lived in color. Her goal is to one day make it to the Davines World Wide Hair Tour in Italy. She can’t wait to get to know you and have some fun behind the chair!

Kaiya Whelan

Junior Stylist - Ghent + Hilltop

Kaiya has been with AOC’s apprenticeship program since December 2021 and working on the floor with clients since August 2022. Her biggest goal is to make sure each and every client leaves her chair looking and feeling their very best. In her free time, she loves to read, hang out with her cats, and go hiking. Kaiya is passionate about learning how to work with all hair types in order to give her clients the best experience possible. She specializes in blonding services and textured hair.

Jessica Lutzow

Jessica has been a part of the AOC team from the beginning. After starting her time with us as our salon coordinator and assistant, she realized her passion for hair and eagerly began the apprenticeship program. After completing both the apprenticeship program, as well as graduating from Old Dominion University with her Bachelors of Science in Biology, she began as a full time stylist. Jessica's true passion is creating natural looks while making your day just a little bit brighter!

Madeline Simpson

Front Desk Manager + Apprentice

Madeline is a Texas native enjoying Virginia Beach with her husband & pup, because the Navy said so!
She has fallen in love with the art that being a hair stylist provides. While Maddie’s role here at AOC is very versatile, one thing always remains at the forefront; client experience. Connecting with clients in every part of their time here is extremely fulfilling and drives her to continue her journey in the beauty industry.

Ana Ptak

Apprentice

Christina West

Apprentice

Izzy Kuriger

Apprentice

Jenna Hummel

Apprentice

Minnie Majors

Apprentice

Hours