Providing So Much More Than Music

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Andrew Liu. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

The benefits of music education are well known, but funding for it is often the first to be cut under budget constraints. Playing the piano can easily become a lifelong passion, but buying one—and the lessons to go with it—can be out of reach for many. Andrew Liu, 17, wants to change that with his student-led nonprofit One Union Music, which provides free music education to underserved youth with no prior experience.

The organization offers both group and individual lessons depending on volunteer availability and demand in each of their eight locations. Andrew and his fellow volunteers work mainly with 2nd and 3rd graders to nurture their interest, some of whom describe it as their favorite part of the week. Since its founding in 2023, they’ve taught around 340 students and raised over $10,000 through grants, partnerships and public benefit concerts to donate instruments and other equipment to host locations for students to share and be stored between lessons. Their social media campaigns touting the benefits of music education have reached hundreds of thousands.

It’s been 11 years since Andrew was a beginner. He has played with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and at Carnegie Hall. Twice. He’s been invited to play in Russia with the Kostroma Symphony Orchestra and has been lucky enough to go to several music camps in both the U.S. and South Korea. He and his friends have played seasonal repertoire at malls, centers and retirement homes to raise funds for One Union. Put simply, Andrew hopes to inspire an affection for the art, regardless of instrument or skill level and to pay forward the opportunities he’s had to play the music he loves.

What inspires you to volunteer?

When I was 8 or 9, my mom would take me along on her work-related volunteering events. I volunteered at places like the Salvation Army Feed My Starving Children and at shelters, meal distributions, drives and more. That early exposure taught me the value of contributing to your community. We’re in a fortunate position. It’s important to help those who might not have the same opportunities.

Tell us about your volunteer role with One Union Music and beyond.

My role is to guide the direction as a whole, and that can materialize in many different ways. I recruit and train new volunteers. Instructors have a strong background in music. I just help them with how to move through curriculum, pace, tips on student retention. We also have many non-instructor roles in social media, outreach and fundraising that don’t require a background in music.

I also work closely with our chapter leaders. We have several different chapters throughout the nation, all with their own leadership structures. I meet with them on a regular basis with my co-founder and our board of directors to survey progress, provide feedback or tips on improving. I also designed our initial 12-week beginner piano curriculum. Originally, we were focused on teaching piano on keyboards, but as we’ve branched out, we’ve developed curriculums tailored for flute, violin, voice, and others. I teach at our original community center every other week.

I also designed our website and played a large role in updating it and revamping our image. And I currently manage our social media page but have handed over most of the day-to-day posting to other volunteers.

Beyond One Union, I’m an attorney and judge at Collin County Teen Court, and I’ve started working with one of my state representatives to expand healthcare coverage to include diagnostics for rare diseases. That way, if the diagnostics that I developed over the summer through biomedical research were to be patented or move to the next step, they would be included in people’s insurance coverage.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

I’ve had a lot of exposure to the music community through my own studio and music camps where I made friends from across the nation. Music has been a refuge when I’m stressed or need to take a break from my surroundings. It puts me in a peaceful headspace and allows for artistic and personal expression. When I’m playing a piece, I get to release emotions through my music. It’s an important part of my life.

As I got older, I noticed the kids who weren’t included, who didn’t have the opportunity to sit at a piano or learn fun pieces because of resource barriers. That shifted my perspective. I felt compelled to create space for others.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The laughs I hear during lessons when students have finished a successful rendition of a piece mirrors the joy and sense of belonging music gave me when I joined the community. Being around my students, seeing them cheer on a learning victory, shows me the impact I’ve made in shaping my community into a more inclusive and nurturing place.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Volunteering has taught me the power of consistency. Sometimes, even though you want or expect immediate impact, you need to build slowly. That might mean showing up week after week for those who are counting on you.
We were late for our very first lesson. There were malfunctioning keyboards, defective power cords and missing extensions. Ultimately, we were able to clear up all the issues, and two years later, we rarely run into problems.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

When you invest your time and skills in a cause that you care about, it creates ripple effects. Even if you’re only doing something for a few hours every month, it can make an impact. Service builds stronger communities and teaches people empathy, responsibility and perspective.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Start small with something that genuinely excites you. You don’t need a completely mapped out plan. Be open to humble beginnings, and see where your work and ideas take you.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Andrew? Find local volunteer opportunities.