David's Harp Foundation Inc

Can music effect profound life change?  Witness a teenager engage their potential to create beauty in a music studio as they forget their homelessness for a life-giving hour, to see that music does have this inherent enabling and healing ability, as we at The David's Harp Foundation have experienced.

In the David's Harp studio, music is our medium for change.  At-risk and homeless youth are invited to shape their passion into art under the guidance of our instructors. Through the production process their struggles are expressed creatively and artistic visions become reality. The impact of mentorship and consistency on a young life is enormous; we invite you to listen to our story. 

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

2007:  Brandon Steppe produced music full time in his southeast San Diego garage-turned-recording-studio, which soon became a magnet for neighborhood youth who were disengaged in school, lacking motivation to excel academically or personally, lacking direction in life. Brandon asked: What if we could harness the power of music to reach and mentor students?  He developed a program enabling students to trade improvements in their school grades for studio time, expanding his role of music producer to include encouraging and mentoring neighborhood youth to strive for excellence. 

2009:  Brandon Steppe and Brinton Miller (Vice President Discovery Communications and current DHF Board of Directors member) formally establish The David's Harp Foundation, Inc., as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Brandon becomes Executive Director.  

2012: Program outgrows is humble beginnings in a garage, and moves into a state-of-the-art studio facility in San Diego's diverse East Village neighborhood.

Today: Today David's Harp Foundation exists to cultivate academic and creative excellence in the youth we serve. 

WHO WE SERVE

  "Angie walked toward the microphone, her palms sweaty as she gathered herself before singing her song in the studio for the first time. When she walked into the sound booth, she left the weight of her broken family at the door. Angie began her musical journey at David's Harp Foundation three weeks prior, and this was the moment she had been anticipating. With encouragement from the staff she leaned forward, closed her eyes, and sang her story..." 

We are committed to uplifting and empowering the underserved youth of San Diego. As a 501(c)(3) organization our doors are open to all at-risk and homeless students from 8th to 12th grade. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, national origin (ancestry), or disability. The majority of our students suffer from a lack of structure, economic security, and family stability. We recruit students through partnerships with local high schools and homeless shelters, working closely with educators and administrators to identify and engage students who are interested in music and who experience academic or social difficulties. We serve on average 35 students after school each week and 15 homeless students during weekly Shelter Nights.

IMPACT

In 2014 we served 142 homeless youth, referred by our partner San Diego Youth Service's Youth Emergency Shelter. Youth Shelter volunteer Jennifer Phillippe says, "The youth that stay at the Storefront Shelter have endured severe hardships for their age, and they have many difficulties coping. David's Harp Foundation provides them with a safe space where they can forget about their troubles and just be a teenager." 

 Our partnerships with local high schools are helping students in the classroom!

"Coming to the David's Harp Foundation studio every Friday has completely changed the way I interact with students. Watching our students learn about music, learn how to play instruments, and learn to create songs is an incredible experience- as I get to see students in a completely different light. Students shine with this exposure to creativity and to inspirational, down to earth music teachers at the studio. This program has added so much to our school!" - Emily Niedhart (Teacher Garfield High School)

 Our connections with the students we serve are lasting and impactful.

"To me the studio is a big part of my dream. I never thought that I was going to get to do anything like this. Now I am recording a song and I can see my dream becoming a reality. I am truly thankful for everything everyone in the studio has done to make that come true." - Amy, Student Garfield High School