Zanetta Boughan was born in England and was raised in Fairfax, Virginia. She began studying piano when she was eight years old from her mother, who was a graduate of the Royal College of Music in London. Zanetta started studying violin when she was 11 years old, in the sixth grade orchestra class. She made her singing/piano/violin debut at the age of 12, at Custis-Lee Mansion, now known as the Arlington House/Robert E. Lee Memorial in Washington, DC. She had to perform in Civil War costume wearing her hair in ringlets. The violin given to Robert E. Lee’s father-in-law by George Washington is on display there in the White Parlor.

Zanetta attended Chantilly High School in Virginia where she won numerous violin medals at State Solo, Ensemble, and Orchestra Festivals. She was selected twice, on scholarship at age 16 and 17, to attend Virginia Music Camp in Massanetta Springs, Virginia, which was sponsored by the State Department of Education. When she was 16, Zanetta was also selected to perform with the Virginia Regional High School Orchestra, which was conducted by the renowned Russell Stanger, Associate Conductor of the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein. She played in several performances of Handel’s Messiah while in high school; taught privately; and ended her senior year earning a Chantilly High School Varsity Letter from the Music Department. She went on to play with the orchestra at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. During this time, Zanetta also played various gigs together with members of the National Symphony in Washington, DC.

In 1979, Zanetta took a six-year sabbatical to serve in the United States Navy, assigned to the Naval Military Personnel Command, Washington, DC, and also to the Pentagon where she worked for the Office of Legislative Affairs. In 1985, Zanetta was selected for Reserve Duty at the U.S. Embassy, Manila, Philippines, while attached to the Naval Reserve Center at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. While in Alaska, she played with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra.

In 1987, Zanetta moved to Sierra Vista and started teaching piano, violin, and guitar in her private studio. Zanetta was the concertmaster of the Cochise College Chamber Orchestra and was their featured soloist. She was also the concertmaster of the Pima College Chamber Orchestra in Tucson, and has performed as first violinist with the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra. Zanetta is the founder/performer of the Classical Violin Duo performing group. Zanetta was accepted as a participant in the 2001 San Diego Chamber Music Workshop at Scripps College in Claremont, California.

Zanetta is a Cochise College graduate with an A.A.S. Degree in Administration of Justice. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Musical Studies from Wayland Baptist University. Zanetta is a United States Navy Veteran and is a member of Women in Military Service for America. Zanetta is a five time recipient of Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World.

Zanetta resides in Sierra Vista with her husband Robert, a local businessman and owner of the Robert Boughan Construction Company. They have two beautiful daughters whom are four and five years old. Zanetta is honored to be the new President of the Sierra Vista Symphony Association. It is her pleasure to represent, advocate, and serve for such a unique and viable organization in her community.