Who are we?
Our Goal
Youth Board
AAPI Youth Voices is a youth-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to empowering young individuals to express themselves and celebrate their culture, traditions, languages, and more. We achieve this goal both on and off the stage, with a strong emphasis on fostering their confidence, sense of belonging, and teamwork skills.
Our primary goal is to promote cultural awareness through the education, encourage respect for diversity and inclusion, and ensure that the rich heritage and contributions of AAPI communities are acknowledged, cherished, and passed down to future generations.
In addition to our core mission, our outreach goal is to provide access to arts and cultures for all young individuals, especially those who are underprivileged. We are dedicated to making the transformative power of arts accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Emma Yu
Founder + Executive Director
Board Members
Alex Rodriguez
Alexandria, MN, Class of 2027
Alex Rodriguez is a sophomore at Alexandria Area High School. He plays the piano, violin, and viola, studying piano under Dr. Paul Wirth and the other 2 under Michael Zellgert. Alex plays in various local and youth orchestras, serving as the concertmaster of his school orchestra. Alex is qualified for many orchestras, serving as the 1st chair violist of the 2025 All State-Orchestra and qualifying for the 2026 All-State Orchestra. He has placed in numerous state-wide piano competitions, including Thursday Musical, MTNA State Division, Minnesota Orchestra Concerto Competition, and Schubert Club.
Apart from music, Alex enjoys math league, HOSA, and being a proud board member of AAPI Youth Voices.
Yanyan Zeng
Honorary Board Member
Bloomington, MN, Class of 2025 at Harvard University
Yanyan Zeng (she/her) is a student at Harvard College (class of 2025) studying Environmental Science and Public Policy with a secondary in Statistics.
As a child of Chinese immigrants, Yanyan is passionate about uplifting AAPI youth and promoting cultural awareness.Over the summer of 2023, she worked as an intern at the City of Saint Paul’s Office of Financial Empowerment. At Harvard, Yanyan is a research assistant at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, the Events Director for Harvard Undergraduate Plant Futures, and a member of the Asian American Dance Troupe.
Chapter Leaders
Chapter Leaders (https://aapiyouthvoices.org/chapter-leaders/) commit to raising cultural awareness, fostering diversity, and engaging in year-round events—both virtual and in-person. They participate in leadership workshops, community service, fundraisers, multicultural events, and legislative action initiatives. Chapter Leaders can run for the Youth Board during the Annual Meeting.