About Own Your Own Universe (OYOU)

Empowering lives through accessible arts, music, and creative connection

 

Own Your Own Universe (OYOU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization based in San Marcos and Martindale, Texas. Our mission is to transform lives through music and the creative arts. We do this by offering dynamic, year-round in-person and online programs for all ages and abilities.

 

Because accessibility starts with affordability, we keep our events free or low-cost, and we provide a robust scholarship program to ensure no one is turned away. Every program empowers individuals to explore music, creative writing, the arts, and personal growth in a supportive and inclusive community.

 

We are especially proud of our specialized programs for individuals with special needs, those facing financial hardship, and people navigating health challenges. Whether at our home base at Wilory Farm in Martindale, throughout Caldwell, Hays, and Guadalupe Counties, or across Texas, OYOU fosters creativity, connection, and healing.

 

Our Programs & Impact

 

OYOUth: Music camps for ages 8–19, with dedicated sessions for children with special needs. Scholarships ensure every child has access. Our programs reach across the Hill Country and into rural and at-risk communities statewide.

 

Creative Empowerment: Writer’s Nest and Bucket List Songwriting workshops support beginners and seasoned artists alike. We also offer year-round creative writing and music classes for youth, adults, and seniors.

 

Women’s Retreats: Seasonal retreats in fall and winter that combine inspiration, creativity, and renewal at a low cost — unlike anything else in Texas.

 

Song Circles: Monthly gatherings for ages 12+, open to songwriters, singers, and players of all levels. Low-pressure, high-joy sing-alongs that build community.

 

Inclusive Outreach: The SongBuddies Project serves verbal and nonverbal individuals with special needs, ages 12+, and seniors in assisted living. It also brings free and affordable programs to libraries, schools, and community centers across Texas.

 

Artistic Advocacy: Paid opportunities for musicians, workshop leaders, and visual artists — many of whom have overcome personal health challenges — to share their gifts and mentor others.

 

Community Enrichment: Our free Snowbird Concert Series (est. 2014) and annual music festival create joyful, welcoming spaces where art and community meet.

 

Podcast with a Purpose: On the Porch with Terri Hendrix features 30-minute episodes highlighting stories of resilience, creativity, and purpose that inspire listeners to see possibility in the impossible.

 

Our Commitment to Accessibility

We break down barriers — financial, physical, and social — that keep people from accessing the arts. Scholarships are available for every program and serve children, veterans, educators, individuals with disabilities, those on fixed incomes, and people undergoing medical treatment.

 

Our Story

OYOU was founded by singer-songwriter and epilepsy advocate Terri Hendrix, who turned to music and writing as lifelines after her diagnosis at age 21. Her personal journey of resilience and creativity shaped the heart of OYOU: a community where art empowers healing, connection, and self-expression. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2012, OYOU has helped hundreds of individuals discover their voices and live more expressive lives.

 

How You Can Help

Your generosity makes our work possible

Donations support scholarships, keep programs low-cost, and expand our outreach.

 

Sponsorships help us bring free concerts and workshops into communities that need them most.

 

Grants and partnerships amplify underrepresented voices and create opportunities for artists to thrive.

 

Together, we can continue to transform lives through music, creativity, and community.

 

Thank you for supporting the vision of Own Your Own Universe.

Team OYOU