Today we’d like to introduce you to Keldren Reddick.
Hi Keldren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Tallahassee, Florida, and moved to Thomasville, Georgia, around the age of eight. My love for music was rooted early on in family — my mother often sang and played music for my sister and me, and my father was a guitarist in our family church. I grew up surrounded by the sounds of Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and so many others. That exposure gave me a deep appreciation for genres like gospel, R&B, jazz, and pop, and it shaped my ear and my soul as a musician long before I picked up an instrument.
My first encounter with the violin was actually through film. I remember overhearing Itzhak Perlman’s performance of “Theme from Schindler’s List.” I hadn’t seen the movie, but that solo moved something in me. It was poetic, raw, and deeply human. That was the moment I became drawn to the voice of the violin.
My classical music journey began in the seventh grade through my school’s orchestra and the Rose City Strings Project. But it wasn’t until high school that things shifted. I attended a gospel/jazz concert by Laval Belle, and when violinist Karen Briggs took the stage to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” it felt like a calling. That moment sealed it for me—I knew I wanted to become a violinist who could move people the way she moved me.
Shortly after, I began taking formal lessons and eventually went on to study music and business at Clayton State University. There, I performed with both the Clayton State University Orchestra and the Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra, while also playing for various events across campus. That momentum eventually led me into Atlanta’s live music scene, where I’ve been able to network with some amazing artists and grow through opportunities that have shaped me as both a performer and an artist.
My journey has included studio sessions, weddings, festivals, and community events, as well as performances for organizations like the Cobb County NAACP, the City of Suwanee, and the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program. Most recently, I’ve had the honor of performing with Robert Hatcher’s Taco Tuesday band and with the Renaissance Orchestra in Atlanta, sharing the stage with a range of incredible artists including Blk Bok, Akheem Ali, Michael Prince, and Payton Moore to name a few. These collaborations have pushed me creatively and reminded me of the power of how live music can bring people together.
Through it all, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with incredible musicians, growing at every stage, and using my gifts to uplift and inspire others while also learning to craft and nurture a sound that’s uniquely my own. For me, this isn’t just a career—this is a calling. And I’m still writing the story.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can say that it hasn’t always been easy. I always say life is like a rollercoaster, and when pursuing music as musician, it is. At one point you might question yourself, but I always find a way to lean on my faith which gives me the confidence to keep moving forward even though the road feels uncertain! I’ve come to see every challenge not as a setback, but as part of the necessary shaping process. Artists, musicians, or anyone walking a purpose-driven path, will face those growing pains. But I wouldn’t trade them, because they’ve strengthened my character and made the victories that much more meaningful.! Through it all, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love, encouragement, and support of my family, friends, and community. Their belief in me has been the backbone of this journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a classically trained violinist, but my artistry doesn’t stop there. I’ve been able to translate that foundation across genres such as jazz, R&B, soul, rock, hip-hop and explore new dimensions as a creative. What truly sets me apart is my ability to create an experience that resonates in the moment. When I play, my goal is to move your emotions and to make you feel, reflect, and connect. Whether performing as a solo artist or alongside a full live band, I aim to bring a sound that’s not just heard, but felt.
Over the last few years I’ve been trying to find ways to blend musicianship with movement: you’ll find me weaving elements of fitness, storytelling, and empowerment into every performance, whether I’m on stage, in a studio session, or getting in a good sweat during a run or lift. I aim to create moments that move people—inside and out!
I’m most proud that I never quit when the road got uncertain. Instead, I carved my own lane and used music as a vehicle for connection, identity, and discipline. As a former track athlete and fitness enthusiast, that same resilience fuels my commitment to health and high performance, because I believe a strong body amplifies a strong artistic voice.
Ultimately, I want my work to inspire people to pursue excellence in every area of their lives, because greatness isn’t only about what you master; it’s about who you become.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as alignment which is when who I am, what I do, and why I do it are all moving in the same direction. For me it’s about impact, growth, and integrity. Success, to me, is being able to wake up each day knowing that I’m walking in purpose, creating with excellence, and inspiring others to do the same.
As a musician and an artist, success is hearing that someone felt seen or motivated because of a piece I performed or a story I shared. As a creative professional, success is knowing that I didn’t just chase results — I built something meaningful and lasting. And as a human being, success is being grounded, healthy, and whole while I pursue everything I’ve been called to do.
It’s about becoming the kind of person my younger self would be proud of and inspiring others along the way. When I look back at everything I’ve overcome and grown through, I know that he is smiling, and I am definitely getting a high-five from him! This is what makes the journey truly worth it!
Contact Info:
- Email: booking.keldrenreddickviolin@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkeldrenreddick/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keldren.reddick/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkeldrenreddick
Image Credits
Leslie Andrews (Instagram – @leslieandrewsphoto)
Essence Ransome (Instagram- @essence.ransome)
Jamall Rashaud McMillian (Instagram – @jamallrashaud)
