Ernst van Tonder began his musical training at the age of 4 in Bloemfontein, taking recorder lessons with Kobie Colditz. In 1997 he moved to Richards Bay where he received most of his initial musical training. From 1997 he took piano lessons with Henriette Mans. He attended Grantleigh College from 1999 where he started clarinet lessons with Marietjie Lotz as well as saxophone and piano lessons with Hayley White (Smith) between 2007 and 2008. From 2008 he received private piano and advanced theory lessons with Anne-Marie van der Merwe.
In 2008 Ernst was the bursary winner of the Zululand Mondi Eisteddfod, winning six trophies in various categories. Between 2004 and 2008 Ernst was the principal of the Grantleigh Wind Band, high school choir accompanist and completed his UNISA Grade 8 clarinet exam in 2006.
In 2009 he started his BMus degree at Stellenbosch University. In his first year he was involved in productions as clarinetist and saxophonist of Nunsense Amen, West Side Story, and Midnight the Moonlight and Me. He was a member of USSBE from 2009 – 2013 as 1st clarinet and has played under the baton of renowned conductors such as Robert Maxym, Allan Stephenson, Sean Kierman, and Rik Gesqhuire. In 2012 Ernst graduated with his BMus degree, specializing in composition, under the tutelage of Prof. Hans Roosenschoon and clarinet with Maria du Toit.
As a composer, Ernst has transcribed works for USSBE, residence acapella groups, and the Orchestra for the annual KOMPOS concert. He has also been commissioned by ensembles in New Zealand, Portugal, Belgium, and France to transcribe works for Concert and Jazz Band. In 2013 and 2014 he was awarded the SAMRO composition bursary. Between 2011 and 2014, Ernst held the position of Treasurer and Orchestral Manager at KOMPOS. In 2013 he started his MMus at Stellenbosch University, specializing in composition. He is currently lecturing in rudimental theory of music, composition, and orchestration in the higher certificate and diploma courses at the music department.