Elise Solberg was born in
Tokyo,
Japan, the daughter of Yoshiko née Arino and Tait Solberg, both musicians. Her father was
Chief Master Sergeant of the
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia,
Yokota Air Base, stationed in Japan. He played saxophone and was a multi-instrumentalist performing all over the world. Elise Solberg accompanied her father to local performances in Japan, which inspired her to pursue a career as pianist. At seven years old, she began studying piano at the Yamaha Advanced Piano Academy in Tokyo. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Tait Solberg moved his family to
Denver. Solberg studied classical music with Dr. Fifi Hut, Dr. Richard Holbrook, and Larry Graham, all of whom who encouraged her to enter competitions and music festivals. She won competitions sponsored by
Yamaha,
Kawai and
Steinway. Solberg attended the International Institute of Musicians for three years. She won first prize in the Schmitt Music Competition in 2014. While at USC, she won prizes in the Sigma Alpha Iota competition and the Rio Hondo Young Artists competition. She studied piano and composition with
Russell Ferrante,
Stewart Gordon and
Patrice Rushen. == Career ==