From the age of sixteen he worked as a private tutor; later he was a teacher at Valmiera Parish School and an organist.

In 1838—39 he was an external student at Berlin University where he attended lectures on mathematics, didactics and the theory of music.

His music professor was Ludwig Christian Erk, a collector, harmoniser, publisher and researcher of German folk songs.

Jānis Cimze promoted the development of Latvian choral singing and the cultivation of a cappella performance.

Cimze was among those who conceived the idea of the event, while his student and associate Indriķis Zīle was one of the chief conductors at the Song Festival.