Born in Lahr, Baden-Württemberg, Zimmermann began learning the viola at age three, and commenced piano studies at age five.
bˈɔːɹn ɪn lˈɑːɹ, bˈædənwˌuːətˈɛmbɜːɡ, zˈɪmɚmən bɪɡˈæn lˈɜːnɪŋ ðə vaɪˈoʊlə æɾ ˈeɪdʒ θɹˈiː, ænd kəmˈɛnst piˈænoʊ stˈʌdiz æɾ ˈeɪdʒ fˈaɪv.