From Young Artist to Board- Member: A Full-Circle Story of Service and Impact
BY TERRI LANDEZ
My name is Terri Landez, and I’m a nonprofit marketing and development professional at The Village at Incarnate Word here in San Antonio. I’m also a cellist—and have been one since I was nine years old. Music has always been the heartbeat of my life, but like so many young artists, I faced a hard truth early on: access to high-level musical training often comes with a price tag that can put dreams out of reach.
That’s why the Cactus Pear Music Festival’s Young Artist Program was truly life-changing for me.
At 17, I auditioned and was accepted into the Young Artist Program. It wasn’t just a music camp. It was a gateway to something bigger. Unlike many prestigious summer programs that cost thousands of dollars, CPMF’s program was—and still is—completely tuition-free. That single fact changed the trajectory of my life.
I wasn’t just given an opportunity—I was invited into a musical community. I had the chance to study and perform alongside some of the finest professional chamber musicians in the country. I received personal mentorship. I learned what it meant to be both a dedicated artist and a generous collaborator. And I felt, in a profound way, that I belonged in this world of music—not because I could afford it, but because I had something to give.
And so, I gave back.
After my time as a Young Artist, I returned as a festival intern, eager to support the next class of young musicians. I stayed connected, volunteering and contributing however I could. Today, I serve proudly on the Cactus Pear Music Festival board of directors—because I believe in what this organization does, and because I am living proof of its impact.
CPMF doesn’t just stage beautiful concerts. It creates possibilities. It opens doors that would otherwise remain closed. It invests deeply in the next generation of musicians—regardless of background or financial means—and builds a community where artistry, generosity, and belonging take center stage.
If you’ve ever considered getting involved with CPMF, whether as an audience member, donor, volunteer, or board member—let me be the first to say: we need you. Your presence, your voice, your support helps make this vision real. It helps create a future where classical music is not only preserved, but accessible, alive, and vibrant for all.
Come to a concert. Bring a friend. Experience the joy, the excellence, and the impact. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll find, like I did, that Cactus Pear isn’t just a festival. It’s a family. And it’s worth everything we can give.
