The Bánh Mì Chronicles

(S3, EP 5) In this week's episode, I spoke with my old friend Tereza Lee back in July.  Tereza is a mother of 3, professional pianist, and a long-time immigration rights activist. Tereza was one of the pioneers of the DREAM movement in the early 2000's when her then-undocumented status inspired US-IL Senator Dick Durbin to sponsor the first DREAM Act proposal in 2001.  In this interview, Tereza shared her experiences growing up undocumented, and how her music teacher inspired her to share her story to Senator Durbin.  She reminisces back on the struggles of the undocumented movement, but also hopes for this current generation of DACA / undocumented activists.  She recently received her doctorate, and talked about her research of Czech composer Antonín Dvořák and his mentorship of Harry Burleigh, one of the earliest African American composers as well as his work with Black and Indigenous music students.  We talked about her experiences living in NYC during this Covid-19 era.  Hope you get to listen in, and hear her powerful journey!

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Special thanks to my sponsor, Lawrence and Argyle, a Viet-American owned merchandise line representing immigrant empowerment. Get yourself a pin, hoodie or t-shirt and show off your immigrant pride. Visit them at www.lawrenceandargyle.com or on Instagram @lawrenceandargyle or on their Facebook page

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Bio

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Tereza Lee is a pianist “whose touch is exceptionally clear” (—Chicago Sun-Times), who is also a prominent advocate for immigrant rights. She began her performing career at the age of 11, as the pianist at her family’s church. At 16, she became the first student from an inner-city school to win first prize in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition, and performed with the C.S.O. She has gone on to perform as a soloist at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Barge Music, Lincoln Center and the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. She has premiered works by Aaron Jay Kernis, Augusta Read Thomas, Ned Rorem, Josephine Lee, and Kenneth Frazelle.  Tereza’s role in helping to inspire Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois to introduce the DREAM Act has been documented in The New York Times, PBS, NPR, USA Today, The Economist, NY1, and WNYC. She has been engaged in activism especially on immigration issues, supporting the New York State Liberty Act, the New York State DREAM Act, Greenlight NY and Driver’s License For All Campaigns.   Tereza recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Manhattan School of Music.