N.W. (Nels Woodruff) Christiansen was born in 1893 in Sanpete County, Utah, and attended Snow Academy (later Snow College), graduating as valedictorian in 1911. He received a bachelor of science degree from Utah State Agricultural College (USAC - later Utah State University) in 1915. Lucy Liljenquist was born in 1891 in Hyrum, Cache County, Utah. Both Lucy and N.W. studied music in their youth; he with violin and cornet, she with piano. They were married in 1918 while N.W. was employed as music director at Snow Academy. In 1923 N.W. and Lucy were called to serve an LDS church mission to teach school in Kelsey, Texas. After working as the music director at South Cache and Logan high schools from 1925-1929, N.W. enrolled in the Stern Conservatory of Music in Berlin, Germany, returning to USAC as assistant professor of music. In 1932 N. W. organized the summer band camp, which later evolved into the Summer Music Clinic that added orchestra, choir, various ensembles, and music classes. In 1934 he was invited to join the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.

During the summer months, the Christiansen's could often be found at music camps across the US, or attending and later teaching at institutions such as Julliard Conservatory or Columbia University, where N.W. earned a masters of arts degree (1942) and a doctor of philosophy degree (1945). Lucy, a talented musician in her own right, taught piano lessons and often served as accompanist to choirs or ensembles. Together they wrote a children's book of music titled "A Trip Through Yellowstone Park." Lucy was active in the Cache Civic Music Association, serving as president for a time, and was instrumental in bringing nationally known artists and musicians into Cache Valley to perform. Among those were singers Marian Anderson and Frances Lehnerts, violinist Isaac Stern, and the Agnes De Mille Dance Theatre.