Zhanna Semm began playing the piano in her native country of Russia at the age of 5. She went on to receive Bachelor Degrees in Music Theory, Music History and Piano from the Music Conservatory in Russia. In 2004, Zhanna earned a Bachelor in Music Education from UNL. She has been teaching music for 25 years; 10 in Russia and 15 in the USA. She has been instructing students at Dietze since 2006. On teaching, Zhanna says, “I prefer classical music methodology, but also consider personal preferences and styles of my students. Every student deserves a chance to learn playing an instrument. Not every one of them will become a concert performer, but everything the teacher gives to students will stay with them forever, and we have no idea in what way it will influence them.” In her spare time, Zhanna enjoys reading, painting, designing clothes, gardening, and traveling with her husband, Russ.