Brian Xu, also known as Brian 17, is an artist based in the Bay Area, California, and a graduate of USC’s Roski School of Art and Design. As Brian 17, he creates and shares music with a growing audience. Alongside his artistic practice, he mentors students applying to college, helping them use creativity as their foot in the door- the same approach that helped him gain admission to USC. Brian operates at the intersection of artist and educator, actively making work while guiding the next generation to do the same.