About Swinging Europe
The self-governing Institution Swinging Europe is a non-profit institution situated in Herning Municipality. DSI SE has worked internationally with art and culture since 1998. With music as one of our primary focus areas, we create and facilitate artistic and cultural projects and activities through art, music and talent development of youth in the age range of 18 – 25.
In our work, we prioritise developing and participating in cultural collaborative work – both locally, regionally, nationally and internationally by creating a strong fundament for exploring culture projects. This benefits not only up-and-coming talents, but also the local community and society as a whole.
Among the local initiaties, strengthening the art and culture scene in Herning Municipality, we partake in reoccurring events, which strengthen the community and spirit of the local cultural initiatives and projects.
On an international level, our projects focus on expanding and strengthening a strong fundament for interdisciplinary collaborations. Apart from this, the projects create valuable experiences for young musical prodigies in their ambition to engage with the national and international music scene.
Who, What and Why
Mission & Vision
Focus Areas
Talent Development
Swinging Europe wors with talent development
of youth in the age range of 18 – 25 within the musical world
Music
Swinging Europe works with music
Culture
Swinging Europe works withculture
Who are Swinging Europe?
MEET THE TEAM

Marie Lilholt
Executive Director

Cüneyt Pala
Project Manager & Coordinator

Steen N. Storm Mikkelsen
Project Manager

Anne Sophie Parsons
Project Manager & Fundraiser
MEET THE BOARD

Niels Overgård
Chairman
Chairman of Swinging Europe’s board
Writes about and reviews jazz at jazznyt.com.
Facilitates jazz concerts at Fermaten through the jazz club Moor Jazz.
Passionate LP collector and concert-goer.

Anne Damsgaard
Vice Chairman
Originally correspondent, works now as PA in DK Company A/S

Ernst B. Knudsen
Board Member
City councilor appointed to Swinging Europe’s board by Herning Municipality
▪ Former entrepreneur▪
Otherwise connected as:
▪ Board member ofEnsemble MidtVest
▪ Board member ofTeam Teatret
▪ Board member of Skov Olesenøs Plantatation

Brian Nygaard Bruhn
Board Member
Creative instigator and event manager at Herning Library. Former venue manager and general cultural enthusiast.

Julie Jørgensen
Board Member
Works as an EU advisor in Brussels and is an art historian by education.
Has spent several years abroad through studies and work, resulting in knowing about international cultural work intimately.

Sara Dommergaard Thomassen
Board Member
High school teacher at Herning Gymnasium in Music and Danish.
Educated from Aarhus University in Musicology and Nordic Language and Literature.

Esben Aarup
Board Member
Project coordinator at Fermaten, guitarist and music enthusiast. Graduated from Herning High School with Music as my field of study in 2019 and am also a board member in Rytmisk Musik Herning.