HERMAN JORDAAN was born and grew up in Pretoria, South Africa. He obtained his B MUS degree at the University of Pretoria in 1997, where he studied organ with Wim Viljoen. In the same year, he also obtained the Performer's Licentiate from the University of South Africa (UNISA). From 1997 to 1999 he studied with Jacques van Oortmerssen at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, where he obtained the diploma 'Uitvoerend Musicus'.
In 1996 he was awarded first prize at the UNISA National Organ Competition. Before that he had also received prizes in various youth music competitions in South Africa. He was awarded the first prize as well as the audience prize at the International Schnitger Organ Competition in Alkmaar (The Netherlands) in 1999. In 2002 he received the second prize at the Kotka International Organ Competition (Finland), the Stephanus Zondagh prize at the UNISA Overseas Scholarships Competition, and the first prize at the International Organ Competition Nijmegen (The Netherlands).
In 2003 he was awarded the first prize and the audience prize of the Interpretation Competition at the St Albans International Organ Festival in the UK. He has undertaken many concert tours to Europe, the UK, United States and Scandinavia.