Welcome!

Greetings! My name is Dr. Danni Gilbert and I have been the Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education at the University of Minnesota– Twin Cities since 2023. I have gathered several artifacts to illustrate my productivity in scholarly and creative activity, teaching, and service. The top bar serves as a Table of Contents for my portfolio. 

As a university professor, I believe that research not only informs my own teaching and ensures that I am delivering the most current, relevant instruction to my students, but it also serves as an outlet to reach others and best serve the profession. Keeping active in scholarly research and creative activity, through publications, presentations, and performances, promotes music education within the walls of my own classrooms and beyond. My scholarly interests include health and wellness in music education, making education accessible and equitable for all, and strengthening music teacher preparation.

My teaching responsibilities at UMTC include courses in graduate and undergraduate music education. I also teach online Master's music education courses for Kent State University. My teaching philosophy centers on my belief that the instructor’s role is to provide a safe learning atmosphere where all students can freely explore existing information in the discipline, discover best practices in music education and apply them in authentic contexts, and create innovative solutions to new and existing challenges. I also believe the instructor has the responsibility to stay ahead of current trends and developments by being a lifelong learner and effectively utilizing resources that best meet the needs of all students.

Prior to my appointment at UMTC, I served as Associate Professor of Practice in Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Assistant Professor of Music at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska, taught saxophone and clarinet at Iowa Western Community College, taught saxophone and music theory at the College of Saint Mary, and directed elementary and intermediate band for Blair Community Schools. I received my bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. In addition, I received my master’s degree in saxophone performance and her Ph.D. in music education, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

I currently live in the Twin Cities area with my husband, Matt, and daughters, Ellie, Brynn, and Nola.