Lilja is born in Iceland.
She received her further training in America where she got her Masters degree in Education and Music performance.
She has been teaching Suzuki students since 1982 and been training Suzuki teachers over 25 years. She is currently teaching students at all levels in Allegro Suzuki School of Music. She has taught on workshops all over Europe, on International and European Suzuki Conventions.
Lilja has been a member of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and Reykjavik Chamber Orchestra.