scliar worked as a pianist and taught harmony, music theory, analysis, and composition at the instituto villa-lobos and seminários de música pró-arte. in 1952 she studied choral conducting with nilda müller in montevideo and founded and was the first conductor of the choir of the musical youth association of porto alegre. in 1966 she wrote the music for the movie "the loss of mario fiorani" and received an award for "best song" at the brazilian film week ii.