Danell Herbst joined the Department of Music at Stellenbosch University in July 2011 as lecturer in Music Education, Teaching Practice and Aural Training.
She completed her BMus studies (cum laude) in 2006 at North-West University, Potchefstroom where she specialized in Music Theory & Piano Methodology. Her final year dissertation, supervised by Hannes Taljaard, proposed an integrated approach to music theory instruction material. In 2011 she received her MMus degree (cum laude) in Music Theory Instruction & Music Education from North-West University, Potchefstroom under supervision of Hetta Potgieter and Seugnet Blignaut.
Danell held various teaching positions since 2001: teacher of several music instruments at Bloemhof Combined School and Carletonville High School; student assistant and facilitator for undergraduate music theory modules at North-West University; developer and teacher in the Isandla Usizo Music & Life Skills Project at Potchefstroom Primary School; teacher of junior musicianship at Sonare Music Academy, Potchefstroom; developer, teacher and coordinator of the musicianship programme and music theory teacher in the Musikhane Community Project, North-West University. From 2008-2011 Danell held a part-time teaching position in Music Education and Music Notation & Theory at North-West University.
Danell is a member of the following professional groups and societies: SASRIM (South African Society for Research in Music), ISME (International Society of Music Education), and SASMT (South African Society for Music Teachers).
During the first semester of 2008, she was an exchange student in music education to the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. She also performed as a trumpeter in the Buzzin’ Brass Ensemble, the PUK Symphony Orchestra, and the NWU School of Music Wind and Jazz Ensemble.
Currently her time is devoted to the iProsper Project situated at Rietenbosch Primary School. This project serves as case study for her PhD research on the application of the Self-Determination Theory.