At an age when most teens are still figuring out who they want to be, Brandon Hu already understands the kind of impact he wants to have. A classically trained musician and one of the select youth participants in the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Peer to Peer program, Brandon has found a way to turn music into mentorship, and mentorship into measurable change for kids who often get overlooked.

The Peer to Peer program is built on a simple idea: students learn best when they learn from peers who care. Brandon embodies that principle. Last year, he worked with a young Black violin student who began the program struggling with basics and lacking confidence in her ability to perform. By the end of their time together, she stepped onto a stage as part of her community’s youth orchestra. Her transformation didn’t happen by accident. It came from her own persistence and from Brandon’s patience, consistency, and belief that every child deserves someone invested in their success.

Brandon’s approach to teaching mirrors the values he grew up with as a first-generation Chinese American. His writing, public service, and advocacy often touch on the need for deeper collaboration between racial communities and on breaking the individualistic mindset that can hold young people back from collective progress. Music has become the space where those ideas turn into action. The rehearsal room becomes a bridge. The shared effort becomes a reminder that progress is never solitary.

His work goes beyond technical instruction. Brandon pays attention to how his students feel, what motivates them, and what barriers they carry with them. He has a quiet leadership style, but his presence carries weight. When he teaches, he shows his students that discipline and compassion can exist in the same sentence.

Brandon’s commitment to mentorship aligns with how he sees his future. He hopes to expand his reach, eventually building accessible music programs for communities that lack resources. He talks often about representation and responsibility: that young Asian American leaders must not only advocate within their own circles but also contribute to the broader, multicultural communities they are part of.

What sets Brandon apart is not his age or even his talent. It’s the clarity with which he understands the ripple effect of one act of guidance. A student who once doubted herself now performs with confidence. A community orchestra gains a new musician. A young mentor learns what it means to support someone else’s growth. These are small wins that add up to lifelong change.

As Brandon continues to develop his musical and academic pursuits, one thing is certain: his work already reflects the kind of leadership the next generation needs. Not loud. Not self-centered. Not performative. But steady, consistent, and directed toward helping others rise.

And that is the mark of someone who isn’t just making music. He’s making impact.