Studied cello at the Conservatory in Pardubice with Josef Krečmer and at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with Prof. Miroslav Petráš. He then completed his studies at the Hochshule für Musik in Lucerne, Switzerland, with Marek Jerie.

Since his studies he has been presenting himself as a soloist. He has performed with the Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, the North Bohemian Philharmonic Teplice, the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra and the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Mariánské Lázně.

In addition to his soloist career, he is also a chamber musician, especially in the Kalliopé Trio Prague and Barocco Sempre Giovanne, where he is a founding member and regular soloist.

The main focus of his activity is, however, pedagogical and musical education. He has long been involved with young musicians at the primary level of education. Since 2013 he has been a teacher at the Pardubice Conservatory.

An interesting chapter is the activity of music promotion and this undoubtedly includes the unconventional ensemble of four cellists Cello Republic, of which he is a member.

Jan Zemen plays the instrument Karel Joseph Dvořák 1946.