Freshman Kayla “Redd” Anderson and senior Darrian Marshall collaborated on Marshall’s single, “Dance With Me”, released on February 28.

Kayla “Redd” Anderson is a freshman from Charlotte, NC, majoring in mass communications and minoring in journalism. At the age of 18, she produces music for artists under her record label, Code Redd Records. She also distributes her own music on all platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and more.

Anderson began doing audio work when she was in high school. “I made music but never really wanted people to hear it,” she explained. “I was 15; I just did it for me to listen to it.” Although she enjoyed making music, her passion was basketball: “I wanted to play basketball, so I put music behind me because the future looked bright for playing basketball.”

Unfortunately, Anderson lost her position on the basketball team right before Thanksgiving during her senior year in high school. To fill her time, she began working at a fast food restaurant but wanted to do more. She offered to produce music for other students at her high school which reignited her passion for doing audio work.

At Ferrum College, Anderson completed a mixtape dubbed Redd’s World in the fall of 2019. “It was just a bunch of songs that I made and then I thought to just turn it into a mixtape,” said Anderson. “It was mainly about where I’m from and having fun; just being positive.”

Recently, she worked with Ferrum College senior Darrian Marshall ’20 to compile his first album which includes a variety of musical genres such as pop, dance, R&B, and New Orleans bounce. Although Marshall’s album isn’t available yet, his single, Dance With Me, was released on February 28, 2020.

“We made the song within three hours,” explained Anderson. “Darrian made the process very easy.  He was already prepared and very professional. I’m looking forward to working on more projects with Darrian and our fellow peers.”

“Working with Redd has been such a breeze. The recording process for my whole album is so much easier when a producer like Redd knows exactly what I want. Within the first hour of recording Dance With Me, Redd and I felt as though we had been working with each other forever,” said Marshall.

Anderson’s work doesn’t end there. She’s also releasing another mixtape, CODE REDD, on all platforms on March 15, 2020.

Hear Anderson’s audio work on Marshall’s new single, Dance With Me, here. Dance With Me is also out on Apple Music and Spotify.

Darrian Marshall ’20

Ferrum College senior Darrian Marshall’s The Empowerment Concert: Trilogy will occur this Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5, 2019. Both performances will begin at 8 p.m. at Hart International Plaza on Ferrum College’s campus. The events are free and open to the public. Please note that performances contain content that is not suitable for children.

More about The Empowerment Concert: Trilogy Producer and Co-Creator Darrian Marshall ’20:

Senior Darrian Marshall ’20 from Gloucester, VA, enrolled at Ferrum College with a goal to impact his college community and he hasn’t disappointed. As a musical theatre major, Marshall developed The Empowerment Concert, a live performance that debuted in January 2018, filled with music, dance, energy, emotion, and hope. A second concert was performed in January 2019. In April 2019, Marshall’s co-creation production team persuaded him to put on one last big concert for his senior year, and The Empowerment Concert: Trilogy was born. “Looking back at the very first concert, I really enjoyed myself because it was when I became myself,” said Marshall. “I loved the feeling of embracing who I was so much I wanted to do another show, which I did the very next year. I have moved mountains and learned lessons, and I own one of the most respected performances on campus. This is the significance of my last farewell to Ferrum College.”

Find more details about Marshall’s October 4 & 5 concert here.
Read more about Darrian Marshall ’20 here.

Meet some of the Ferrum College students that make The Empowerment Concert: Trilogy possible, below.

Natasha Shelton ’20

Natasha Shelton ’20, Master of Operations

First-generation college student Natasha Shelton ’20 from Richmond, VA, is master of operations for the concert. She is set to graduate this May with a degree in health science and health and human performance. She plans to become a physician assistant and personal trainer. This is Shelton’s first show. “This show has impacted me in such a positive way,” Shelton said. “Working with this group of people showed me that people come from all walks of life; there are beautiful and talented individuals everywhere. And together, we shine brighter than ever.”

Mia Brower ’21

Mia Brower ’21, Dance Captain

Mia Brower ’21, a junior from Kernersville, NC, is serving as dance captain. She is majoring in social work and plans to become a Hospice service provider. When Marshall approached Brower to dance for his first concert, she instantly felt such an experience would be necessary. “I’ve been dancing with Darrian and Autum for three years now and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This show has impacted me in indescribable ways: my confidence level has increased and I’ve learned the true meaning of hard work, commitment, and sacrifice,” said Brower. “Performing in these concerts has been the highlight of my time here at Ferrum College.”

Autum Murray-Burns ’20

Autum Murray-Burns ’20, Dance Captain

Autum Murray-Burns ’20 is a Ferrum College senior majoring in computer information systems and minoring in business. After she graduates in May 2020, she will begin working in programming. Murray-Burns has performed in the previous two concerts and is serving as dance captain for the third. “I never thought of myself as a dancer,” said Murray-Burns. “But this is my third year dancing with Darrian and Mia. This show has impacted my life: it’s brought me confidence. I am no longer afraid to be me. I express my feelings and encourage others to do the same. This show is more than just a concert; it’s a movement, a way for people to express themselves and stand up for what they want.”

Chenell Rogers ’21

Chenell Rogers ’21, Opening Performer

Chenell Rogers ’21 from Richmond, VA, is a junior and an opening performer for the concert. She is majoring in business administration with a focus on management. She plans to be a dance coordinator and own a dance studio. Rogers performed in the second concert and loved every second. “I will never forget my first solo performance on stage,” said Rogers. “I learned from Darrian: don’t expect people to understand your grind when God didn’t give them your vision. Darrian’s vision helped encourage me to believe in mine.”

Jonathan Taylor ’21

Jonathan Taylor ’21, Opening Guitarist 

Jonathan Taylor ’21 is the opening guitarist for the concert. He is a junior majoring in health and human performance at Ferrum College and plans to become a physical education teacher and a team chaplain.

Lechelle Smith ’20

Lechelle Smith ’20, Production Manager

Lechelle Smith ’20 is a Ferrum College senior majoring in musical theatre. She is the production manager for the concert. “I am so grateful for this opportunity,” said Smith. “I have been blessed to watch and work beside Darrian for three years now. I’ve seen his image come to life. He lets nothing stop him and that inspires me daily.”

Mel Ballard ’22

Mel Ballard ’22, Lighting Director

Mel Ballard ’22 is a sophomore from Prince George’s County, MD. Ballard is majoring in cybersecurity and minoring in psychology, with a career goal to work in the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit. He is serving as the concert’s lighting director. “Recently meeting and working with Darrian and the crew enlightened me on what it truly means to be yourself. Different people coming from different backgrounds made my experience worthwhile,” said Ballard.

Ivori Bradley ’20

Ivori Bradley ’20, Host

Ivori Bradley ’20, a first generation college student from Lynchburg, VA, is one of the concert’s hosts. Bradley will earn her degree in social work in May 2020 and plans to be a social worker in a children’s hospital following graduation. “This concert is an inspiration because everyone is allowed to be themselves while adding their own flavor,” said Bradley. “Darrian is a great motivational leader. He has taught me to always believe in myself, no matter what.”

Tazz Rodgers ’21

Tazz Rodgers ’21, Master of Technology

Tazz Rodgers ’21 is a junior majoring in business management and minoring in ecotourism. He is the master of technology for the concert. “This show has impacted me in so many ways. Among many other things, this show has taught me patience. The atmosphere created by this team is simply amazing,” said Rodgers.

Kintwon Pettiford ’22

Kintwon Pettiford ’22, Photographer

Kintwon Pettiford ’22, a sophomore from Hillsborough, NC, is majoring in elementary education at Ferrum College. He is the concert’s photographer. “This concert had empowered me in many ways. It’s allowed me to know that it is okay with being yourself and do what you love best,” said Pettiford.

Camille Mangum ’21

Camille Mangum ’21, Master of Tech

Camille Mangum ’21, a junior from Danville, VA, is a pre-med major with a career goal of becoming a pediatrician. She is the concert’s master of technology. “This show has impacted me since I first saw it my freshman year,” said Mangum. “I’ve meet lifelong friends as well as learned some lifelong lessons and my confidence level has grown. Let’s make our mark at Ferrum College last a lifetime!”

Lia White ’20

Lia White ’20, Host

Lia White ’20, of Baltimore, MD, is a senior majoring in criminal justice and psychology. After graduation in May 2020, she will go on to law school for business law. Her career goal is to work for the FBI one day. White is serving as the concert’s host. “This concert has inspired me because I have grown in the past few years just like my classmates. We’ve all gained confidence.”

Darrian Marshall, a junior majoring in musical theatre, will display his own production, The Empowerment Concert, on January 19 in Schoolfield Hall’s Sale Theatre, on the Ferrum College campus.  The event will begin at 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public.  Tickets are not necessary. Please note that this performance contains content that is not suitable for children.

Darrian Marshall ’20

Hailing from Gloucester, VA, Marshall’s passion for theatre arts began when he performed in The Wiz, an African American remake of The Wizard of Oz, at the tender age of 13.  Since his freshman year at Ferrum College, Marshall has participated in every theatre arts production on campus.  His inspiration for The Empowerment Concert originated from the Black Power Movement along with pop culture influences.

Marshall wishes to express sincere appreciation to the Concert’s production team and dancers, to include: dance captains Mia Brower; Autumn Murray-Burns; and Tamiah Palmer; dancers Laura Aylor; Jenise Venible; Ellie Eckrote; and Jay Moy; executive producer Precious Leonard; director of sound Marie Mance; concert host Jasmine Williams; and vocalists Lacey Matthews and Lechelle Smith.

While at Ferrum College, Marshall intends to audition for professional theatre companies in hope of landing a career in theatre after graduation in May 2020. Marshall also plans to perform for Universal Orlando Entertainment in Florida.  “No matter where I’m at or where I’m going, I will always perform at 100 percent from my heart, while inspiring and empowering the hearts all around me,” said Marshall.

Find more details about Marshall’s upcoming performance  here.