Lilly Abreu: A Path of Music, Migration, and Freedom

For Lilly Abreu, democracy is, above all, freedom. “It’s being able to express what you feel, say what you think, listen to others, accept diversity, and different points of view. And we have that freedom. For me, democracy is freedom.”

That vision of life and her deep commitment to culture led to Lilly being selected last year from among 50 people from across the United States with significant life stories to be part of the Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us project. This exhibition, its installation on 6.7 acres on the East Side of Manhattan, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. This celebration will take place on July 4th, 2026.

Being included in a project that celebrates the values of freedom and diversity is no coincidence for Lilly. Its history, marked by movement across cultures and borders, reflects the spirit of millions of immigrants who have found a new home in the United States.

Lilly Abreu (Foto/Photo: Daniella Vale)

A journey between Brazil and Pittsburgh

The daughter of Brazilian parents, Lilly was born in Portland, Maine, and moved with her family to Brazil at the age of five. There she began her artistic path, which would lead her to become a versatile vocalist, recognized for her mastery of classical music, jazz, and Broadway music.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Federal University of Goiás and, in 1995, returned to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in Vocal Performance at Carnegie Mellon University. Since then, Pittsburgh has become his new home and the stage where she fuses Brazilian rhythms with classical and contemporary influences.

She has performed roles with the Pittsburgh Opera in productions such as Faust, Carmen,  and The Flying Dutchman. In addition, she teaches Vocal Instruction at Carnegie Mellon, sharing her experience with new generations.

Many of her presentations also have a community purpose, especially for the benefit of Pittsburgh’s Latino community.

Decisions that Open Paths

Following her vocation was not easy. When she announced to her parents that she wanted to dedicate herself to music, her father offered her support but advised her to study another career for safety. Lilly accepted the challenge. She studied Languages, a decision that, without knowing it, would mark her future.

The University of Pittsburgh invited her to teach Portuguese, an unexpected turn in her career.

“I never thought that a career in Languages would help me in Pittsburgh. I imagined that it would help me to teach English in Brazil. However, I ended up teaching Portuguese for ten years at a prestigious university,” she recalls.

Lilly Abreu (Foto/Photo: Freddy Potoy Rosales)

Music, Teaching, and Community Service

Today, in addition to her artistic and academic background, Lilly works as a recruiter, trainer, and interpreter consultant at Global Wordsmiths. This company provides translation and interpretation services to institutions that serve immigrants and refugees in Pittsburgh. This work reflects her commitment to inclusion, diversity, and support for those starting a new life in the United States.

The mother of two adult children, aged 40 and 43, Lilly has been able to balance her personal life with her various professional endeavors. Her story is that of someone who, between cultures and languages, built bridges and left traces.

A message of unity

With the serenity of someone who has traveled several paths and the energy of an artist who does not stop, Lilly shares a piece of advice for newer generations:

“Believe in yourself, keep pursuing your goals, and seek to create an environment of family, friends, and community. And always remember what unites us, not what divides us.”