Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Liu.
Andrew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
To be honest, I didn’t start with the idea of an “organization” at all. It started with a piano and a question: why should something as beautiful and formative as music education be limited to those who can afford it? I’ve been studying piano since I was six, and I know firsthand how powerful it can be: not just artistically, but in building discipline, confidence, and emotional expression. During the pandemic, I noticed how many families in my community lost access to extracurriculars, especially music, which is often one of the first things cut when resources are tight. So a few friends and I started teaching students for free. It snowballed from there. Eventually, we founded One Union Music to expand our mission of providing free, high-quality piano lessons to students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity.
What drove me wasn’t leadership for its own sake, but making a positive and lasting impact on my surrounding community. One Union Music was created as a nonprofit to expand arts access. But running a nonprofit (especially a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit like One Union) still comes with the same demands as any organization: planning, operations, fundraising, scaling, and leadership. By co-founding One Union Music, I’ve learned how to turn a passion into a sustainable mission that focuses on serving more students and inspiring potential musicians.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been easy. Running a nonprofit while being a full-time student means juggling constant responsibilities (including lesson planning, outreach, fundraising, and scheduling), all while keeping up with academics and other activities. And because we’re high school students, we’ve had to prove ourselves more than once. When we pitched to partners and funders, we found that people tend to assume we’re “just a club.” But the bias has just pushed us to be sharper, more organized, and more intentional. We’ve had to learn everything from nonprofit compliance to community-centered programming from scratch, but by always doing our best, we’ve attained great results so far.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
One Union Music is a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides completely free, high-quality piano lessons to young students who otherwise wouldn’t have access. We focus on underserved communities by partnering with schools and community centers to make music education accessible and deeply personal. What sets us apart is that we’re not just filling a gap, we’re using music to catalyze youth expression and empowerment. One Union Music is building a system of mentorship that’s run entirely by high school students who believe in the transformative power of music.
I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve built something real and lasting. What began as a barely-fleshed-out concept has grown into a fully operational nonprofit with a structured 12-week curriculum, volunteer training, community concerts, and long-term partnerships. We operate in multiple cities now, and every time we onboard a new instructor or welcome a new student, it’s a reminder that the work we do is scalable.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5–10 years, I see music education (especially community-driven programs like One Union Music) becoming more hybrid and accessible. Virtual lessons, interactive apps, and affordable group tutorials will expand reach beyond big cities, helping talented students in rural areas get quality instruction as well.
I also foresee a stronger emphasis on equity and representation: more outreach to marginalized communities, culturally diverse repertoire, and scholarships so cost isn’t a barrier.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oneunionpiano.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneunionmusic
