Danni Gilbert
2106 4th St S
Minneapolis,
MN
55455
Dr. Danni Gilbert is the Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. In addition, Dr. Gilbert teaches online graduate music education courses for Kent State University. Prior to her appointment at UMN, Dr. Gilbert served as Associate Professor of Practice in Music Education and Coordinator of Music Clinical Experiences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Athletic Bands at Doane University (Crete, Nebraska), taught saxophone and clarinet at Iowa Western Community College (Council Bluffs, Iowa), taught saxophone and music theory at the College of Saint Mary (Omaha, Nebraska), and directed elementary and middle school bands for Blair Community Schools (Blair, Nebraska). She also performed professionally as a saxophonist with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra from 2009–2025.
Living in many locations as the daughter of a naval officer, Dr. Gilbert was born in New York and graduated from high school in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Gilbert received her bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She received her master’s degree in saxophone performance and her Ph.D. in music education, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dr. Gilbert is the recipient of the 2025 Minnesota Music Educators Association Collegiate Music Educator of the Year Award, the 2023 College Distinguished Teaching Award from the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the 2020 Nebraska Music Educators Association Outstanding Music Educator Award.
Active in various forms of research and scholarly activity, Dr. Gilbert presents research and practitioner sessions at professional conferences around the globe. Her research interests include health and wellness in music education, making music education accessible and equitable for all, strengthening music teacher preparation, and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). Dr. Gilbert’s work has been published in the following scholarly journals (Google Scholar profile):
- Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education (in press)
- Journal of Research in Music Education
- Journal of Music Teacher Education
- Music Educators Journal
- Update: Applications of Research in Music Education
- Visions of Research in Music Education (in press)
- Journal of Music, Technology and Education
- College Music Symposium
- Research & Issues in Music Education
- Early Childhood Education Journal
- Teaching Music
- Interval: Journal of the Minnesota Music Educators Association Conference
- Florida Music Director
- Nebraska Music Educator
- TOPICS (Themes, Opinion, Practices, Innovation, Curriculum, Strategies) for Music Education Praxis
- Contributions to Music Education
- Arts Education Policy Review
Dr. Gilbert's book, Music Educators Wanted! Ten Essential Qualifications for Success (Kendall Hunt), is intended for pre-service music educators and those aspiring to teach music. In addition, Dr. Gilbert co-authored the book, Curious, Collaborative, Creativity: A Music Teacher's Guide to Transforming Ensembles with Dr. Caron Collins.
As a musician, Dr. Gilbert has performed professionally with the Tidewater Winds (Virginia), the Omaha Symphonic Winds (Nebraska), and the Omaha Symphony Orchestra (Nebraska). Her performances with the Omaha Symphony have allowed Dr. Gilbert to share the stage with renowned artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Bernadette Peters, Three Dog Night, Stewart Copeland from The Police, Martin Short, Ben Folds, The Temptations, and Kristin Chenoweth. A review of her saxophone solo published in the Omaha World-Herald claimed her performance brought a "depth of expressive contrast" and "fresh...sweetness to the piece." She has also enjoyed performing in community settings such as the Blair Community Band, the Lincoln Municipal Band, and as a musician on her church's worship team. Dr. Gilbert frequently serves as a clinician, adjudicator, saxophonist, vocalist, and guest conductor.
Currently, Dr. Gilbert resides in the Twin Cities area with her wonderful husband and three amazing school-aged daughters. She embraces the intersection of her identities as an academic, a woman, and a mother, highlighting both the complexities and strengths that emerge from this convergence. Her work emphasizes the importance of honoring full humanity in higher education by encouraging individuals to bring their whole selves into their roles, fostering more compassionate and inclusive academic spaces.
Educational Background
- Bachelor's of Music in Music Education: Music Education, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Master's of Music in Music Performance: Saxophone Performance, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Doctor of Philosophy in Music: Music Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln