Students Thrive in Music Production Through Ongoing Partnership with David’s Harp

Connecting students’ educational experiences with real-world opportunities is one of the San Diego County Office of Education’s goals and put into practice through a nearly decades-long partnership with David’s Harp Foundation. 

In the past year, students from the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) and SOAR Academy East Mesa have participated in internships with the local non-profit, with opportunities involving all aspects of music production.

Four students from CTEC, which focuses on career technical education, provided sound and technical support for a recent live concert, a first for any students in the Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) program.  

"This was my first time doing live audio,” said Brayan. “I learned how to use the equipment and work with a team. It made me feel more confident and excited about doing this in the future."

Teacher Marco Moore, who works closely with David’s Harp, said it was a great learning experience for the students.

“Everyone was happy with the outcome. It was very special,” he said.

The live concert took place as a result of a contest a local San Diego High School student won with David’s Harp. She had been part of the program since her freshman year in high school.

The four students were at the studio twice a week for 10 weeks learning about audio engineering. Each week, they spent time at the studio learning hands-on skills like running sound checks, operating cameras, and working the soundboard.

"We weren’t just students—we were trusted to run the sound," said Uli. "That meant a lot. I learned how important teamwork and preparation are for making a show run smoothly."

The students were selected to participate after going through a formal interview process and each received school credit.

While CTEC students were studying audio engineering, 51 youth at SOAR Academy East Mesa, which serves youth in the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, were producing their own culturally relevant original songs.

The process included writing, producing, planning, and mixing, to final mastering. At the conclusion of each 6-week session, they hosted a listening party to give students a chance to celebrate and be heard.

"The David’s Harp Foundation offers our students a meaningful opportunity to engage in music production as a form of creative expression,” said Nathan Head, principal at East Mesa. “The program supports social and emotional development while providing a transformational learning experience that fosters confidence, connection, and student engagement.”

Brandon Steppe, CEO of David’s Harp, agrees that music has been a powerful outlet for students as they navigate the uncertainty of awaiting trial.

“One student told us that songwriting helped him remember home and led to an honest conversation with his mother.”

The most recent cohort produced a track called “24 Hours to Live,” which Steppe shared “revealed a depth of honesty and hope rarely seen in a traditional classroom.”

Over the course of the partnership with David’s Harp Foundation, students have participated in regular exhibitions, writing, producing, and recording songs. They’ve hosted listening parties and talked about the production process. Now students can also say they’ve supported a live concert.

"I am going to be here at East Mesa for a long time. Making music helps me focus on other things than just being here,” said one SOAR Academy student. “David's Harp gets me excited to work on something I am passionate about." 

Because of the long-time collaboration between SDCOE and David’s Harp, students who leave East Mesa have the chance to transition to their downtown studio and keep earning high school credit.

Brandon, a former East Mesa and Youth Transition Campus (YTC) student now at CTEC, is thriving in the Biz Pod entrepreneurial program and being paid to create professional video content at the recording facility.

“We trade studio time for school engagement, maintaining relationships and supporting credit recovery,” Steppe said. “This continuity is changing trajectories and giving students tangible hope.”