This Citizenship Day, Saturday, Sept. 17, will be an emotional and festive time for soft-spoken Lelia Tenreyro-Viana, a native-born Argentinean whose lifelong dream was to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. Her dream finally came true just over one year ago. This Metrowest musician, singer and teacher plans to celebrate with a special breakfast gathering of family and friends and then enjoy the festivities of Ashland Day at Stone Park.
Early Preparation
and a Taste of the US
“I grew up looking at the States and dreamed of coming here one day,” Tenreyro-Viana reminisced in a recent interview. “My father was a professional musician, and although he did not speak English, he encouraged my learning the language at age six both at school and through a private tutor.”
That tutor, a singer by the name of Helen Jackson, became a strong female role model, someone Tenreyro-Viana loved and admired very much. She credits her dad, Nimar Tenreyro, and Jackson for planting the seeds for her journey.
Since age seven, Tenreyro-Viana was part of the National Children’s Choir in Argentina. At age 17, as part of her English studies, she entered and won a writing contest, which provided her a one-month stay to learn English in a college environment anywhere in the United States. She chose to travel to Philadelphia for the one-month language immersion, and at the end of her stay, swore to return one day to continue her studies.
The next year, she entered the Conservatorio Municipal de Musica Manuel de Falla in Buenos Aires to study the French horn.
It took about six years for Tenreyro-Viana to achieve her dream of getting stateside. She landed in New York City on August 17, 1994, lived with a dear friend there and got her first non-musical job as a coat check girl in an Italian restaurant where she worked her way up to be assistant manager. At the same time, her voice teacher suggested her conservatory credits might be transferable to Brooklyn College. Tenreyro-Viana met with college admissions staff and the dean of international students, and two days after an audition, she began full-time studies at this well-regarded city school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree.
“On a happy, sunny day in 1998 while still at college, I met Tony,” Tenreyro-Viana recalled. Antonio [Tony] Massa Viana, a native of Brazil, “was studying classical guitar. We dated, became engaged and a year later, we married.”
Professional Careers in Metrowest
Once Tenreyro-Viana matriculated, her original tourist visa became a student visa. At graduation, she started a period of practical training, initially working as a cantor at a church in Queens. Subsequently, her husband had three job offers, and the couple moved to Ashland, Mass., where they had their first-born, a girl they named Cecilia. Viana became the Massachusetts Regional Editor of the Brazilian Voice newspaper as his wife cared for their newborn.
At the end of 2002, Tenreyro-Viana interviewed for a position at St. Cecilia’s Church and was hired as the Director of Music Ministry teaching three choirs for children, teenagers and adults. “I love the opportunity of teaching people of all ages, and now I teach students from ages five to 86,” Tenreyro-Viana added with a smile.
While music director, Tenreyro-Viana applied for a religious-worker visa that would last five years. During the process, however, there was a lengthy delay during which applicants’ papers were put on hold by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Apparently, officials had discovered some cases of fraudulent activity across the country and stopped processing religious-worker visas during their investigation.
Told to Move Back
Immigration officials told the Vianas to move back to their home country, but there were complicating family factors pressing them to stay along with their own desire not to lose their immigration status. It was during this time that Tenreyro-Viana’s husband began researching the issues and networking with others who were affected by the freeze. He became aware of a group of lawyers in Washington state who were filing a similar class action suit.
This work motivated him to become a licensed attorney. In 2014, he graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, passed his bar exams in both RI and Mass. and last year opened his own law practice in Framingham where he specializes in naturalization and immigration cases.
In the end, the Vianas won their suit, and Tenreyro-Viana was granted a green card in October 2009. A green card proves that its holder is a lawful permanent resident and has been officially granted immigration benefits which include permission to reside and take employment in the United States.
“Many people came to our aid during this time,” Tenreyro-Viana said emotionally. “We were humbled and in awe of the goodness we saw in a community of people who have become our closest friends. They are now our family, and I thank God for them. When we thought we were most alone, we realized we were not.”
One of Tenreyro-Viana’s most ardent supporters is The Reverend Richard P. Cornell, pastor of St. Cecilia’s Church.
“Undoubtedly, Lelia is a remarkable wife, mother, and music director,” Father Cornell stated. “The personal qualities she brings together in her work are also of great importance. She can easily adapt to sudden changes and therefore has the unique ability to bring about excellence in each of our three choirs. Our church members love her because they know she cares deeply about them personally as well as elicits their best efforts,” Cornell added.
Meeting the Requirements for Naturalization
After waiting the mandatory five-year residency time period from securing her green card, Tenreyro-Viana applied for naturalization. She had to demonstrate that she was a productive, taxpaying resident throughout her whole stay in the States, provide letters from both professional and community leaders which would show she was of strong moral character, pass a history and civics test, and prove to be proficient in English.
In a memorable, tear-filled ceremony attended by family and friends at Faneuil Hall on March 18, 2015, Tenreyro-Viana was awarded her long-awaited citizenship status, more than 20 years in the making.
“What I love most about this society is that the people are so generous and giving. There is a huge trust in people and their goodness. If you really have the drive and the love in your heart to follow what you want to do, you have the opportunity to do it. I feel proud to be a United States citizen. I can make my voice heard and try to make it better for my family, friends and other people,” Tenreyro-Viana said.
Tenreyro-Viana also petitioned for her husband to be granted permanent resident status, and after his requisite three-year waiting period, Antonio Massa Viana will apply for naturalization as well. His amazing journey will also have taken more than two decades to complete.
Tenreyro-Viana teaches piano and voice at the Metrowest Music Studio in Holliston, which she opened in 2008. Over the past six years, as a member of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Tenreyro-Viana sings at Symphony Hall during the spring, performs at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass., during the summer months and with the Boston Pops during the winter holiday season. She is also the Artistic Director for the Charles River Children’s Chorus in Millis where the couple now resides with their three children, Cecilia (14), Francisco (12) and Joaquim (8).
Issue Date:
September, 2016
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