Yuni Lee – Founder, Pianist, and Clarinetist
An alumna of Vandegrift High School, Yuni Lee is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She began playing the piano at age six and studied with Shearon Horton, winning numerous competitions and events, such as the Texas Music Teachers Association Piano Performance Contest, New Orleans Piano Institute Solo Competition, Baylor/Waco Piano Competition, and Steinway and Sons Junior Piano Competition. In 2016, Yuni was featured on KMFA 89.5 and was selected as the top Austin District Music Teachers Association Youth Music Ambassador. She has also had the privilege of performing in masterclasses with pianists from the Eastman School of Music, the Juilliard School, and many more, including Alan Chow, Kevin Chance, and Anton Nel. In addition to piano, Yuni played clarinet in her high school’s Wind Ensemble, which was selected as the 2019 Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band and invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. She served as drum major for the Vandegrift High School Marching Band and received the “Second to None” Award on the basis of peer nomination for exemplifying the character and service of First Lieutenant Matthew Vandegrift, the school’s namesake. Yuni also has over six years of experience teaching music, both privately and with the Music Eunited Program, in which Music United has its origins. Music Eunited was dedicated to teaching music to students with disabilities or financial needs, and Yuni served as a co-director for two years before the program was discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, it was her dream to incorporate her passion for music into a project raising awareness about poverty and disabilities. With great support from her community, family, and fellow UT students, Music United became a registered student organization at the University in the spring of 2024. It is with hope that Music United continues to promote access to music education and empower kids with disabilities and/or financial needs through music.
Joseph (JJ) Song – Director and French Hornist
Graduate from Cy-Fair High School, JJ Song studies at the University of Texas at Austin. After choosing the French horn in the sixth grade, he continued this journey through high school obtaining multiple recognitions as a four-time TMEA All-Region Band qualifier, “Outstanding Soloist” of the Cy-Fair Symphonic Winds band, and Cy-Fair Honors Recital performer. JJ also served as a two-time Drum Major, a position second only to the band directors, for the Cy-Fair High School Marching Band. Continuing band at the university level, JJ was a member of the Longhorn Band contributing to the atmosphere of enthusiasm and school pride during the college football season. Outside of music, JJ is a certified Taekwondo instructor for over 7 years, teaching sessions for students of diverse backgrounds young and old regardless of experience or disabilities. Furthermore, he is an avid volunteer for the neurodivergent community at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church of Houston, assisting with events from holiday gatherings to the K-Friends Adaptive Sports Festival in Kansas City. Through Music United, JJ hopes to use his diverse background to uplift those with disabilities and/or financial needs through music with positivity and unending energy.
Joy Ting – Associate Director and Pianist
Joy, an alumnus of Highland Park High School, is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas. Her ten-year piano journey consisted of participation in competitions and recitals including achievements like placing in the Dallas Symphonic Festival and Dallas Piano Solo Competitions. Also, during her middle school years, she was an active choir member and continues to enjoy singing both for leisure and at events like Christmas Caroling for various organizations. In addition to her musical background, Joy is passionate about teaching and working with children. She has consistently worked with children from 1st to 6th grade at annual camps and dedicates her weekends to helping children with special needs whenever she’s back in Dallas. Her passion for helping children inspired her to establish an organization to tutor and coach underserved children in various subjects like algebra, tennis, biology and art. Joy’s profound passion for music and working with children shaped who she is today, and she is enthusiastic about sharing her interests with other children, hoping to ignite a similar passion of music in them.
Mindy Li – Teacher Relations Coordinator and Pianist
Mindy graduated from Plano West High School and is now an undergraduate at UT Austin studying biology. She learned piano starting from a young age, and she enjoys playing piano for fun. Mindy continued her musical career in middle and high school by joining band and learning saxophone. Outside of music, Mindy loves arts and crafts and taught arts and craft lessons to young children in high school. She hopes to continue teaching, and she hopes to inspire a love for music through teaching at Music United.
Neha Ramachandran – Social Media Manager and Percussionist
Neha is an undergraduate studying biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin after graduating from Vandegrift High School. In sixth grade, she discovered her interest in percussion and began to learn different instruments during concert season, including snare drum, cymbals, timpani, bass drum, vibraphone, xylophone, and others. Upon entering high school, Neha continued her percussion journey by joining the marching band. She played the vibraphone in the front ensemble during marching season in the fall of her freshman year, during which the Vandegrift band was awarded first place at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. She played in percussion ensembles and performed snare and marimba solos during the spring concert season. Beyond the performances, she valued the friendships and sense of community that stemmed from her shared musical experiences. Neha hopes to share her love for music through Music United and inspire children to enjoy percussion as much as she does.
Sohan Jain – Student Relations Coordinator and Pianist
Sohan has played piano for 13 years, starting at age 5. He competed in competitions through the Plano Music Teachers Association, receiving almost twenty first place awards. He also played piano in his high school orchestra, ranking first in the TMEA All Region competitions twice, qualifying for the TMEA All State orchestra during his junior and senior year, and is a Texas Music Scholar. Sohan has experience teaching piano, as he taught private lessons during my summers in high school. He is currently a pianist in the organization called Healing with Harmonies where a group of students travel to nursing homes and settlement homes for children and play orchestra music for them. He can’t wait to spread the joy of music to the students he teaches.
Tanushree Mazumdar – Fundraising Coordinator, Violist, and Violinist
Tanu graduated from the Chamber Orchestra of Cypress Woods High School in Cypress. Texas. She has seven years of playing the viola under her belt. Some of her awards and accomplishments include making 2017 Region Philharmonic Orchestra and “A Star is Born” award that acknowledged her growth as a musician. Since 2020, she has been giving free tutoring lessons to a young violinist. Additionally, she has tutored for grade school math and science. Her experience working with children at a local climbing gym has allowed her to gain a sense of how children view the world, and she draws inspiration from their resilience and positive attitude. Tanu’s appreciation and passion for music is rooted in the idea that music is universal: everyone can enjoy it without a regard for language or culture. She wishes for everyone to get a chance to learn and appreciate music without the worry of finances or other challenges. When she is not busy with school work, you can find her rowing at Ladybird Lake, volunteering at the hospital, fundraising, or attending meetings for other organizations. In her free time, she is crocheting, has her head buried in a book, or is working out! Through Music United, Tanu aspires to spread the love and appreciation she has for music!
Heather Gan – Violinist
An alumnus of Bellaire High School, Heather is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. Her love for the violin started at the age of 7, and has only continued to grow throughout her 11-year journey. Her achievements include performing at the Houston Youth Symphony (HYS) for three years, selected as Concertmaster in the Philharmonia Orchestra, and winning the American Prize’s Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for an orchestral piece she led. Heather was also a four-time TMEA Regional Orchestra musician, a Class 1 and Division 1 medalist in Solo and Ensemble, and a TMEA Texas Music Scholar. Furthermore, Heather has consistently placed Concertmaster throughout her academic years and led violin sections in the summer program American Festival for the Arts (AFA) and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). She also dabbled in chamber music in various programs, where she would lead her ensemble. Additionally, Heather enjoys teaching and working with kids. From tutoring various subjects like algebra and chemistry to hosting week-long camps for elementary students, Heather hopes to bring joy to education in kids.
Jeffery Li – Violinist
Jeffery Li has been playing the violin for over 12 years. He enjoys making music and spreading it to others as both a soloist and ensemble player. Among his favorite pieces are Bach sonatas & partitas, which express a wide range of emotions. In recent years, he has performed with the Texas All-State Symphony Orchestra and in the UT Philharmonic University Orchestra. Jeffery also practices solo pieces and has earned a ‘distinguished’ rating playing the Bach Chaconne at Texas State UIL. On the side, Jeffery enjoys collaborating with fellow students performing in small ensembles on campus and at nursing homes. Previously, he has tutored younger students in elementary school on how to play the violin and is eager to help new students start as well!
Aaron Antony – Trumpeter
Aaron is a dedicated musician who learned to play trumpet at Cy-Fair High School in the Greater Houston area. As a section leader and principal trumpet, he led breakout sessions teaching others both music for marching band shows and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) region music for auditions in the fall. He is a four time Region Band member and two-time TMEA All-State Band member, performing in the Henry B. Gonzalez Center as a result. Beyond trumpet, he also was a part of the Cy-Fair High School Indoor Percussion ensemble as a cymbal player.
Amber Nguyen – Percussionist
Amber Nguyen graduated from University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology. Her music journey began when she started piano lessons in first grade, carrying her passion into sixth grade where she decided to join the school band playing percussion. Upon entering high school at Vandegrift, she earned a spot on the marching band’s marimba line and became captain during her junior and senior year, during which the band won first place at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. To keep up with her love of music, Amber currently plays guitar and makes her own music. She has joined two bands that are hoping to perform live in Austin. Through Music United, Amber hopes to share her love of playing and creating music.
Gauri Binup – Violist
Gauri Binup, an alumnus of Lebanon Trail High School, is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. Since picking up the viola in the sixth grade, she’s made achievements like becoming a TMEA Regional Orchestra musician and a Class 1 medalist in Solo and Ensemble competitions. Besides music, Gauri has also been dedicated to working with students. For the past four years, she has tutored students in foreign languages, reading, and writing. She hopes to elevate her love for music and teaching through Music United, and to inspire students to find joy in music!
Kashvi Singh – Pianist
Kashvi is a graduate of Coppell High School, currently studying Public Health and medical Spanish at UT Austin. She practiced classical piano for 9 years, competing in various local competitions through the Carrollton Music Teacher’s Association and consistently earning high ratings in both music theory and competition/festivals. In high school, Kashvi was in her school’s varsity choir, and since graduating, she has been more focused on vocals, but still loves to play piano as accompaniment while singing. Outside of music, she has a lot of experience working with children through summer camps, tutoring, and clinical volunteering. She is excited to share her love for music and watch that same passion grow in younger students.
Tanner Phan – Pianist
An experienced vocalist and passionate pianist, Tanner Phan has an extensive relationship with performance. With 10+ years of classical training, they have found a love for creating music as well as sharing the experience with others. Hopeful to provide new opportunities to those interested in learning, Tanner applied for Music United in order to aid in the accessible music education initiative. Having started piano lessons at four years old, they wish to share the challenging yet fulfilling nature of creating music in hopes of enriching the development of young minds across Texas.
William Lee – Pianist
Currently enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, William Lee was a competitive pianist for more than 10 years under Dr. Mary Humm. He is a winner of the Dallas Piano Solo top prize, Dallas Symphonic Festival, Baylor / Waco Piano Competition, and Plano Trophy Competition. He performed in numerous recitals and festivals such as the Gillock Honor Recital, PMTA American Festival, Sonatina Festival, and Fall Festival. William’s repertoire consists primarily of classical giants like Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninov, and Bach, but he enjoys occasionally learning pop songs as well. His favorite pieces are Chopin études and Beethoven piano sonatas. William has a strong understanding in musical fundamentals and technique in classical piano, and he is excited to share his passion for music through Music United!
Brendan Vo – Pianist
Brendan has played the piano since he was six years old. He trained under Dr. Bret Serrin at the Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas, from 2012 to 2024. During that time he has competed and placed in competitions. However, the ability to teach others the wonders of the music through Music United, is an opportunity that he has not been able to have in the past. Therefore, he is excited to be able to have this opportunity, and create an impact in the community through music. Although Brendan has not had extensive experience in teaching music, he was a tutor for Outlook tutoring, a non profit organization that helped struggling students study during the COVID online school year. Teaching has always been something that Brendan has enjoyed, so being able to expand that love of teaching into the realm of something else he truly enjoys, piano, would be a beautiful combination.
Maria Valenzuela – Clarinetist
Graduate of Greenwood High School, Maria Valenzuela is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. Maria began playing the clarinet in 6th grade, and she continues to pursue music. Maria had the opportunity to perform in the All-State band two consecutive years during high school. She also performed a class one solo and ensemble at the State Solo and Ensemble contest for three years and obtained a “Music Scholar award” for her solo performances. In addition, Maria obtained a drum major position in her school’s marching band her senior year. Outside of music, Maria studies neuroscience and aspires to make a difference in the lives of others through her own passions and experiences. Maria is a part of Partners and Health, which is an advocacy organization that focuses on bringing awareness to social injustices in the healthcare system. She is also a part of Texas STEM buddies, an organization that works with elementary kids to foster STEM education in low income schools. Through music, Maria hopes to help children obtain music education while simultaneously continuing her passion. Maria strongly believes that every child should have access to music education, as it is a beautiful opportunity that has the potential to change lives.
Jerry Wang – Pianist
Jerry is a biochemistry student at UT who graduated from Plano West High School. He started playing the piano at the age of 7 and he has continued to play to this day. In middle and high school, he expanded his music education by playing the trombone for the school band in addition to playing piano outside of school. His favorite piano piece and current piece that he’s working on is Chopin’s Ballade no. 1 in G minor. He is passionate about both piano and teaching, as outside of music he is an undergraduate course assistant. Through Music United, he hopes to help its students find their own passion for music and explore its joys.
Nehir Aran – Guitarist and Pianist
Growing up, music has always been a part of Nehir’s life. Her musical journey started when she first started taking piano lessons in elementary school. She then wanted to branch out her abilities by taking classical guitar lessons during middle school. Taking a break from instrumental music after moving to the US, she joined her high school’s choir during sophomore year. She was a part of the Varsity Women’s choir for two years and she competed in UIL district competition for three consecutive years. After coming to UT and seeing the vast music community, Nehir realized how much she had missed piano and guitar and decided to revive her passion for them. After discovering Music United, having been a STEM tutor since her junior year of high school, she wanted to combine her passions for teaching and music while giving back to her community.Nehir Aran – Guitarist and Pianist
Fiona Wang – Pianist
Fiona, a 2025 graduate from Plano East Senior High School, is now at UT, majoring in neuroscience. Though she is not playing piano competitively in college, Fiona has 10 years of piano performance experience, during which 8 of those years were spent competing at state, national, and international levels. Since the age of 6, Fiona has studied under the same piano instructor, Dr. Vita Zharkova, whose supportiveness, musical expertise, and performance knowledge guided Fiona throughout her music journey. Fiona has won multiple awards and accolades through the Dallas Piano Solo Competition, Frisco Music Teachers Association Piano Competition, Texoma Piano Competition, Dallas Symphonic Festival, Sonatina and Sonata International Youth Competition, Golden Key Music Festival Piano Competition, Suzanne Culley Music Festival and Competition, Bay Area Piano Competition, American Protégé Piano Competition, Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, and more. She has had the honor of performing in Carnegie Hall, a success she couldn’t have achieved without the support and encouragement of Dr.Vita and her family. Outside of piano, Fiona has assisted patients and medical staff at the Methodist Hospitals as a junior volunteer, led a non-profit free tutoring organization, Teaching Others to Succeed, served on the Teen Advisory Board for the Plano Public Libraries, and participated in weekly harvests at her community garden, donating over 200 pounds of produce to God’s Pantry. In her free time, she loves trying new matcha spots, reading historical fiction, drawing, and binging medical dramas. Knowing how important it was to have an advocating and uplifting community during her piano competition years, as well as in her other pursuits, Fiona hopes to create the same compassionate and nurturing environment at Music United.
Varun Kudva – Violinist
Varun is a business major at UT and a graduate of Plano East Senior High School. He has been playing the violin since the age of five and studied the Suzuki method under Judy Bossuat-Gallic. Being part of his school’s orchestra since middle school, he was often concertmaster, won various awards for both solo and ensemble performances, and even played viola for two years. He was part of the UT University Orchestra last semester and is currently working on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in his free time. In high school, he helped teach special needs students music through United Sound, which he found to be a very rewarding experience. He hopes to continue teaching through Music United so he can make an impact on the community and share the joy that music has brought him with others.