At AOC Salon we strive to be a leader in requiring and offering ongoing, advanced  education to both our staff and to our apprenctices working towards their licensure. Not only do we have Dalbe as our in-house educator, but we continue to host multitudes of educators from around the world in our salon to ensure opportunities for our team to learn.

AOC Salon has been a learning salon since the day we opened our doors in 2008. We have had so many talented stylists begin their journey here at AOC and go on to do phenomenal things with their careers. AOC Salon has been a part of the Virginia Apprenticeship program since 2009. We are proud to currently have stylists working full-time on our floor that successfully moved through this program with us and are now thriving and creating consistently beautiful hair for their guests. AOC also collaborates with Rudy and Kelly Academy to seek out individuals graduating from their program looking for further growth before they begin their full-time journey behind the chair.

By persisting in this journey of ongoing education it allows us to proudly ensure quality, no matter which AOC team member completes your service.

Are you interested in becoming an apprentice with AOC Salon?

Send your resume to brian@aocsalon.com for more information!

Dalbe has always been a dreamer, with a driven personality.

She spent 15 years aspiring to be an actress, singer, and dancer in the film/television industry. After residing in NYC during 9/11, Dalbe decided to change careers at the age of 30. She wanted to do something that enabled her to give back and to use her creative passion to serve and encourage others.  Licensed in 2003 Dalbe completed an 18-month apprenticeship program.  She then relocated back to NYC to apprentice under NYC stylists and colorists Thomas Heinz and Laurie Foley. 

Three and a half years later, Dalbe opened her first business - AOC SALON.  A six chair, 900 square foot, commission salon.  Dalbe thrived on continuing education and after three years of being in business, she became a Davines Color educator for a family-owned, international color line out of Parma, Italy. Through Twinstate and Davines North America, Dalbe’s salon team grew to become the 1^st Davines concept salon in Hampton Roads, VA.  In 2015, Dalbe’s tenacity continued to thrive as she not only opened her 2nd location in Virginia Beach, VA, a ten-chair commission salon, but expanded the 1^st location to 3000 square feet with fourteen chairs and an education center.  Dalbe’s AOC Salon team continues to grow with 30+ employees to date.  She has mentored 2-3 apprentices a year with Virginia VOTECH and graduates of Rudy and Kelly/Paul Mitchell Partner schools.  The salon offers continued education to her team quarterly. Dalbe continues her personal growth and education to help maintain standards for the salon and the team.

In July 2017, Dalbe began taking advanced cutting training with a London based internationally known company, Allilon Education, under the direction of Johnny Othona and Pedro Inchenko. Through Davines North America and the amazing Allilon team of educators, Dalbe was able to continue her Allilon journey with 4 intensive weeks of Primary Shapes, Mechanics and Teacher training.

Dalbe had the opportunity to assist international Artistic Director for Davines, Angelo Seminara ( Hair on Stage-Richmond, VA 2018). Dalbe also assisted Anna Paccitto, Artistic Director of Intercoiffureac, (owner of Salon Pure, Academie Pure in Montreal Canada) at the Intercoiffureac 2018 in NYC.  

Dalbe loves to share what she learns with her team and others. She is known to be a very passionate, compassionate, encouraging educator whose goal in life is to see others grow and succeed, especially young women.  Her most memorable and proudest event to date was going to Cambodia in 2012 to volunteer with the nonprofit Justice and Soul Foundation. Being one of the 1^st volunteers to help open a salon and train survivors of sex trafficking, an then returning to Cambodia 18 months later to see them graduate. Dalbe continues to challenge herself and her team to push boundaries and exceed expectations. 

Dalbe and Friends