Clarice Assad, the scion of a prominent musical family, has gained special renown as a composer. She is also active as a singer, pianist, and arranger in music ranging from classical to Brazilian genres to jazz. Assad's family includes several famous musicians; guitarist and composer Sérgio Assad is her father, and his brother and performing partner Odair Assad is her uncle. Clarice worked for several years in Rio as a theatrical pianist. She made her solo debut as a pianist and singer with the album Invitation in 2004, and that year, she scored a major breakthrough when violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg commissioned a violin concerto from her. Her collaborators include cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and the Turtle Island String Quartet. Assad has released several solo albums, and in 2023, she joined the Delgani String Quartet on the album Soul of Brazil.