Brandon Reyes may seem like a typical Towson University accounting student.

He’s working toward his bachelor’s degree, studying for his CPA exam and serving as a resident assistant in the Glen Complex.

And like many college students, he has a side gig. But his is a little different — and a little louder — than most.

Reyes is a music content creator. Across several social media platforms, he has amassed more than 1.5 million followers, and his videos of him covering popular songs on drums have garnered more than 700 million views.

“I do vision boards every year, and in 2024 for some reason I put content creation in the corner of my vision board,” Reyes explains. “I’ve always been an entertainer. It’s in my blood to perform, and I love the drums. So I put a drumming video up and it got, like, 10,000 views.

“And then I made it a goal to post a video every day. That consistency paid off when my firstviral video hit 39 million views on TikTok alone, all because of the drive and dedication to keep posting every single day.”

Brandon Reyes playing drums in front of TU's Stephens Hall

Evident passion

His passion for drumming started when his family would play the video game “Rock Band.” That eventually led him to play in the drumlines of his middle and high school marching bands.

Now he gets to share his passion with millions of people each day. He remembers posting a cover of the Arctic Monkeys’ 2007 hit “505,” earlier this year. It was one of the first videos to take off online, helping him reach a much wider audience.

“Whenever I’m playing, there’s nothing else on my mind besides the music and the drums,” Reyes adds. “I love music. So being able to put my own spin on what these artists have created makes me feel like a part of something.”

Reyes has built more than an audience through his content; he’s also developed a connection with his followers.

Not only do people ask him about things like his equipment and song choices, he receives messages from people who say he inspires them.

“I get DMs all the time saying, ‘You saved my life because your music is so impactful’ and ‘Your drumming has so much passion,’” Reyes says. “Stuff like that has just made me so grateful to be able to post. It puts an instant smile on my face to be able to change the lives of people just through something I'm passionate about.”

Finding Connection at TU 

While Reyes has built a community online through music, he’s also made connections at TU that have shaped his college experience and helped prepare him for his career.

As a first-generation student with parents from El Salvador, Reyes draws motivation from their hard work and experiences as immigrants. That same work ethic is evident in his daily social media posts and in how he approached his TU experience, getting involved on campus early and often.

Brandon Reyes spinning a drum stick while sitting in front of Stephens Hall
Brandon Reyes taking a selfie with members of his family

(Left) Thanks to his drumming, Reyes has over 1.5 million followers across several social media channels. (Right) A first-generation student, Reyes thanks his parents for his work ethic. 

“As soon as I started at TU, I immediately went to the peer adviser for help with study abroad,” Reyes laughs. “[Going to Spain] changed my life. I was with a group of people from the entire United States. Meeting people from different states and experiencing a new country together was just incredible.”

That led to a two-week program in Japan to learn more about the country’s culture.

The Olney, Maryland, native also found ways to build community on campus. During his first week, he joined the TU Boxing Club. He’s also joined Pasión, TU’s Latin dance team, and the TU Investment Group.

Those campus connections have helped him pursue his professional goals. Through attending College of Business and Economics (CBE) career fairs, he has already completed two internships that have given him professional experience in the region. This past spring, he worked as a tax intern at KBST&M in Cockeysville. During the summer, he worked as an assurance intern at CohnReznick in downtown Baltimore.

I think TU has shaped me into who I am today with all the opportunities they’ve given me.

Brandon Reyes

When he graduates next spring, he plans to continue preparing for the CPA exam, with the goal of earning his certification that fall, before starting work at a firm close to home.

Looking back on his experience, Reyes recalls that TU was always his top choice. Now, as he considers what he’s accomplished and what lies ahead, he believes the university has lived up to his expectations.

“Coming to TU has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, 100%,” Reyes says. “I think TU has shaped me into who I am today with all the opportunities they’ve given me.”