Clarice Assad is a composer, pianist, singer, and member of one of Brazil's most celebrated music dynasties; her father is guitarist and composer
Sergio Assad, her uncle is
Sergio's partner
Odair Assad, and
Clarice's aunt is vocalist
Badi Assad.
Clarice Assad's training at the piano began at age seven in private lessons, and a little later on she also studied jazz piano with
Leandro Braga.
Assad transferred to the Berklee College of Music in the United States, later continued her studies at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and completed her course of study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After composing a number of pieces for various family members to perform,
Assad's first major commission came from violinist
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg for a Violin Concerto (2004). This work proved very successful and was widely featured in concert, subsequently recorded and issued by
Salerno-Sonnenberg's on her own NSS Music label. Since then,
Clarice Assad has earned numerous honors, awards, and commissions, and in October 2007 began a residency at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH.
Clarice Assad sings in four languages; her jazz-styled singing and playing has been featured on American National Public Radio.