The award recipients from left Philip Faber, Christian Gade Bjerrum, Annisette Koppel, Caroline Henderson, Lars Lindegaard Gregersen and Carmen Tynell. Photo by Simon Dokkedal.

The award winners have each been pioneers in their field, using their platform to make art more diverse, accessible and sustainable. 


Caroline Henderson - for diversity and artistic innovation 

Caroline Henderson is being honoured with this year's Diversity Award for her many years as an artist and for her ability to innovate and take responsibility for the important agenda of representation on stage. With the concert format Black Voices, she focussed on the cultural heritage of black women, and in her one-woman show Mit Liv Som Hun unfolds her many facets as a performer. From her commercial breakthrough on the charts in 1990 to her brand new album, she has been a distinctive and innovative artist. Caroline Henderson is being honoured for using her art to promote diversity and be a role model for new generations.

Lars Lindegaard Gregersen - for communicating circus 

As director of the performing arts company GLiMT since 2002, Lars Lindegaard Gregersen has reformed contemporary art forms by combining circus, dance and physical theatre. He is also one of the few circus companies in Denmark to run Lille Storbyteater in Copenhagen. GLiMT ranges from producing performances that have achieved international recognition to taking social responsibility in the Amager district, where they share premises with a charity organisation and collaborate on training new, young talents for the contemporary circus of the future. 

In addition to touring as a performer throughout Europe, Lars Gregersen has done ea great effort as an advocate for the circus arts, including as Vice-President of the Danish Artist Association and co-founder and chairman of the industry organisation Danish Contemporary Circus.

Carmen Tynell (TMI Tammi) - for international outlook 

Carmen Tynell is a producer and artist under the name TMI Tammi. Since graduating in 2024 from music production at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, she has worked internationally with music and produced for Danish artists with a global outlook, including Debbie Sings and Iris Gold. 

Her musical range - from soft indie pop to hard-hitting electronic dance - has led to collaborations with artists and songwriters from Cape Town to Seoul. She is being honoured with the Artist Appreciation Award for seeking out international challenges, being an ambitious first mover and a well-liked colleague. 

Phillip Faber - for bringing music to the masses 

Conductor and composer Phillip Faber has been at the forefront of demonstrating the great value of community music. During the corona pandemic, the whole country realised what a fundamental and essential role music and art play in our lives and society - not least through community singing. 

This year, he has been at the forefront of the Danish Ministry of Culture's efforts to get many musical artists into Danish schools to spread the value of music and singing. In addition to his solid craftsmanship as a singer and conductor, he has a special gift for communication, which he has chosen to use to make a noticeable and significant contribution to democratising music and spreading the joy of singing in Denmark.  

Christian Gade Bjerrum - Recognition award for green transition 

Christian Gade Bjerrum receives the Artists' Recognition Award 2025 for his great efforts for green transition in the cultural sector. As initiator of the organisation Sustainable Performing Arts NOW and head of the Theatre Green Book Accelerator programme, he has focused on promoting green and sustainable transition throughout the performing arts. With a background in acting and sustainability management, he works tirelessly to create nourishing work environments. For this important work, he receives the Danish Artist Association's Award of Appreciation for Green Transition. 

Annisette Koppel - recipient of this year's Honorary Membership 

This year's Honorary Membership goes to Annisette Koppel, who has been an indispensable part of Danish music and cultural history for seven decades. With The Savage Rose, she has released 23 albums and has been a unique artist with international impact and massive audience support over many decades and across generations. 

Her commitment to people and society permeates both her music and her career choices. She has uncompromisingly engaged in politics and activism - from solidarity concerts for Palestine to the fight for Ungdomshuset. The Danish Artist Association honours an artist who has had solidarity as a common thread throughout her work. 

This has been expressed through a lifelong membership of our union and a deep dedication to standing up for the most vulnerable. Annisette has not shied away from the pressure on artists' freedom of expression, and for that she receives the honour and gratitude of her colleagues. 

Facts about the award

The Danish Artist Union's appreciation award honours artists and musicians who have used their art as a tool to create new opportunities and make music and performing arts more accessible and sustainable. 

The award is presented annually to one or more artists who have made an exceptional contribution to music and the performing arts and made a difference to the community. 

The award recipients are selected by colleagues from the board of the Danish Artist Association.