Meet Andrew Liu | Co-Founder & Associate Executive Director, One Union Music

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Liu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
To be honest, it didn’t start with the idea of a “business” or “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 entrepreneurship 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.

What should our readers know about your business?
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.

That said, 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.

Along the way, I’ve learned that mission clarity is everything. When I’m constantly balancing logistics, what keeps me grounded is knowing why I’m doing it. I’ve also learned how powerful youth leadership can be when it’s supported by structure and vision. People will take you seriously if you give them a reason to.

What I want the world to know is that access to music education shouldn’t depend on zip code or income. Talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t. One Union Music exists to close that gap, one student at a time. I hope that every student I work with can eventually find a voice through music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d try to show them both the heart of the city and the quieter corners that make it feel like home. We’d start with the classics: a morning at the Dallas Museum of Art followed by lunch at Klyde Warren Park with food trucks and live music. Then we could head over to Deep Ellum to explore murals, local shops, and catch a show at The Factory or the Kessler. There’s so much creativity baked into the city, and it’s truly underrated.

We’d have to stop by the Bishop Arts District, not just for the food (Emporium Pies!), but for the atmosphere. I’d take them to Oddfellows or Tribal for brunch, then wander the independent bookstores and vintage shops nearby. If we’re hungry for dinner, Uchi for sushi or Mesero for Tex-Mex are my go-to spots.

Since music is a big part of my life, we’d make time to see a piano recital at the Meyerson Symphony Center or visit local schools where some of our One Union Music students practice. I’d also love to introduce them to a community partner site, so they can see firsthand what our work is all about.

Toward the end of the week, we’d take a day trip out to Fort Worth to visit the Modern Art Museum or walk around the Stockyards for a different vibe and environment. Then we could wind down with a sunset walk around White Rock Lake.

More than anything, I’d want them to see what makes Dallas special: the blend of culture, community, and momentum. There are so many people here doing meaningful work, and I think that energy is contagious.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely. Nothing I’ve done, especially with One Union Music, would have been possible without the encouragement and support of others. First, I want to recognize Richard Wang, my fellow founder at One Union Music. From the very beginning, he’s been the kind of leader who brings both clarity and heart to everything he does. He’s been instrumental in building the organization and shaping our mission to expand access to music education. What’s always stood out to me is his determination and passion for the project. Whenever he mentions new ideas, I know he’ll bring them to life. Whether we’re organizing lessons, developing a curriculum, or navigating some other inevitable hurdle that comes with running a nonprofit, Richard’s leadership continually inspires me, and I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made through One Union Music.

I also want to shout out the incredible volunteers who have dedicated their time and talent to our mission. From teaching lessons and making curriculum slides to advertising on social media and managing logistics behind the scenes, they’ve played an essential role in helping One Union Music reach more students than we ever could have alone.

Most of all, I want to recognize the students and families we serve. The enthusiasm they bring to every lesson is what inspires us to keep going. Every time a student finishes learning their first piece or flawlessly performs a difficult composition, I’m reminded of why my work matters.

Website: https://www.oneunionpiano.com/

Instagram: @one.union.music