Our Teachers

Steve Francella

BRASS TEACHER

Steve’s love of music developed early, thanks to great teachers and mentors who encouraged him to grow his musical talents. The Brass Lab is all about passing on this knowledge and passion to the next generation of brass instrument players.

Steve picked up his first trumpet in 4th grade and has loved brass instruments ever since! Throughout school, he learned to play various brass instruments and benefited from enthusiastic, skilled and thoughtful band teachers. As he grew up, Steve joined multiple bands, eventually playing each night of the week across the Washington metro area rock and roll scene – his bands were always booked!

As he outgrew the bands, Steve returned to school and spent two years studying trumpet performance. During this time,  along side his own learning, Steve taught brass music to students with his mentor at Johnny Smith’s music studio. This was a formative time in Steve’s music career, as he developed his teaching method and drew great satisfaction from his students.

After raising five children with his wife Shelley, Steve decided to dedicate his retirement continuing to do the two things he has always loved: playing and teaching music. Steve set up the Brass Lab in 2015 to teach students of all ages and inspire them to pursue their musical talents. He creates varied lessons, each personalized to his students’ abilities and interests. His lessons always involve new music pieces and playing duets, in order for the students to listen to their musical partners to play in tune and improve their ensemble playing. He looks forward to getting to know you, your musical aspirations and your favorite tunes!

Devin Inman

PIANO, GUITAR, & UKELELE TEACHER

Devin has been teaching piano, guitar, and ukulele since 2019. He studied at Hood College where he got his bachelor’s degree in Music Performance with a focus on music composition. He has played in countless ensembles on a wide variety of instruments including piano, synthesizer, acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, mandolin, horn, and trumpet. When not teaching, he writes music and leads contemporary worship bands, which he has done since 2015. Music is his passion. Devin strives to teach in a way that makes learning to play music and music theory easy and fun

Sarah Leamy

PIANO, GUITAR, FLUTE TEACHER

Sarah Leamy is new to the area but not new to teaching music lessons. She holds a BS in Music Education from Slippery Rock University, Pa and has some Graduate Studies. Having taught over 30 years, her primary students have been piano students. However, being versatile all her life she also teaches guitar, flute and voice. When the need or interest arises, she also teaches Brass, Woodwind, and String Instruments. Sarah also has 22 years experience as Music Director, Accompanist, Organist/Pianist for churches. Sarah enjoys a multitude of ages and has taught from 5-70 plus years of age. Besides her Love of Music, she is passionate with gardening, chickens, hiking, cycling, traveling, and grandchildren.

Kennady Thorpe

GUITAR TEACHER

Kennady has studied guitar since she was 13 years old and picked up ukulele shortly after. She’s been teaching guitar since 2021. She excels in playing and teaching fingerpicking style, folk, Christian, and pop music. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Performance from Mount St. Mary’s University in May of 2023. She teaches her students rhythm and chords, and encourages them to play their favorite music. She has worked with all ages from 7 years old to adult and loves seeing their faces light up when they achieve their goals in learning. Kennady has been the worship leader at her church since 2022 and has lots of experience playing in bands and performing.