Mae Doelling Schmidt, born Mary Metzke, was the youngest of four girls born to Julius (aka August) Metzke (surname also spelled Mätzke; 1847–1907) and Marie J. Schwechert (maiden; 1854–1892), both German immigrants from Prussia who married in Chicago on August 28, 1878.

[9] In 1904, while studying in Berlin, Dölling competed and won a Mendelssohn Prize in piano (one of four winning pianists).

[11] A 1922 report described Doelling as "forceful when necessary", but adding that "she relies on brains rather than physical strength to bring out the beauties of the music.

On November 29 1934 Doelling performed the American premier of Max Trapp's Concerto for Pianoforte in D Major, Op.

Schmidt actually performed the concerto earlier, on March 3 1934, for a private event hosted by plant pathologist Fred Reuel Jones, PhD (1884–1956), and wife, Edith Jones (née Edith Katharine Seymour; 1896–1984), at the College Club in Madison, Wisconsin, for 75 guests that included her sister, Mrs. Chester Barlow (née Louise Theadora Metzke; 1885–1976) – the second youngest of the four.

[19] The College Club at 12 East Gilman Street was the Madison branch of the American Association of University Women.