Our Team

Joseph is a professional pianist and music producer. As a formally trained musician, Joseph brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our instruction staff. Joseph is also an accomplished electronic music producer working for Sound Collage Musik, a local production team in San Diego. His passion for music and mentorship allows him to develop long-lasting bonds with our students that transcend art and make a real-world impact.

Rediet (aka Red) was born and raised in Ethiopia and came to the United States by herself in 2010 as an international student, where she earned her Associate Degree at San Diego City College.

Her musical inspiration resounded within the walls of her grandparents home as they listened to her cultural Ethiopian music. Also, it transcended into her listening to her father’s mixtapes he made during his studies in Canada. Even after the passing of her father shortly before she turned four years old, music continues to have a positive impact in her life in keeping the memories of her father and grandparents close to her heart.

For five years, she worked at various community-focused grocery stores chains in San Diego as a Front-end Manager, where she gained extensive professional administrative skills and abilities that has equipped her to serve as the Office Coordinator at The David’s Harp Foundation.

Rashaad began his musical training as a drummer at age 3 when he received his own starter drum set for Christmas. He continued to play the drums at his church and for the Lincoln High School Marching Band, but his professional musical career started in 2008 when he began producing music for regional and national recording artists while continuing to play concerts at local venues. Rashaad has mentored San Diego youth for the past 12 years, volunteering his natural ability to connect with kids for the national non-profit, Young Life. He brings his skill set and vast experience to the David’s Harp team as our Manager of Program Instruction.

Brandon Steppe is a transformative force in the lives of opportunity youth in his hometown of San Diego, California. A life-long musician, Brandon began his musical career at San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts where he studied Jazz Saxophone since age 9. After graduation, Brandon continued his musical endeavors, converting his college dorm room into a recording studio to help pay for his tuition.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from the University of San Francisco, Brandon began a career in Corporate Management. After rising quickly though the corporate ranks, he made a decisive career change, stepping out on faith to convert his father’s garage in Southeast San Diego, into a recording studio where he eventually allowed local youth to trade their good grades for studio time. When he saw the academic success that resulted, Brandon Founded The David’s Harp Foundation in 2009.

As DHF Founder and Executive Director, Brandon has overseen the organization’s growth from his father’s garage in Southeast San Diego to a state-of-the-art studio facility located in Downtown San Diego’s East Village community. He has developed numerous corporate and community partnerships, leveraging the power of music/media production to foster an environment of academic accountability where his students thrive.