Artist & Instructor
Concerts include performances for the Presidential Palace in Kiev, for Latvia’s government in Riga, and for Copenhagen Gospel Festival. CD- and DVD-productions include “I believe I can fly” (2005), “Desert” (2006), and “Debut” (2007). Dan Hegelund sang “Freedom” with Team Rongedal in “Battle of the Choirs” 2010.
Dan gives private lessons in singing, and is also available for performances.
Be sure to check out Dan’s music, available for free download as audio and video!
Biography
Ages 0 – 6, Hippie Roots
Being born into this world was like a newborn swallow being hurdled into a mighty storm, with only a small pair of wings to carry me, the wind pushing me to every side and with no sense of direction. No anchor, no lighthouse, no shielding place of protection. All around was noise, unrest and absence of peace. Yet, through this dark chaos I could feel my heart beating… a persevering pulse of hope like a voice in the darkness calling me towards the light.
I was born in 1977 in an abandoned military base, that had been occupied by hippies, called Christiania. I remember daily clashes between police with truncheons and stone-throwing occupants. Dogs barking, whistling, screaming and shouting, rage and fear… and a very real sensation of a struggle between good and evil, righteousness and un-righteousness. Off course, in the naivety of a child’s mind, it was the police that were the evil-doers with their daily raids against Christiania. Thus in an early age a clear black and white picture of the world was formed. A twisted picture in many ways, because I called good evil and evil good. But there remained an invisible link to the heavenly realm, that endued me with a persisting joy, zeal and energy, that like a laser-beam shot through my very present fears and confusion. Thus it is, that in spite of how I felt, most people knew me as a happy and energetic little boy.
In those pre-school years I had my first date with God. I remember sitting in a swing by my self, when suddenly I was caught up to another realm. Everything around me seemed to disappear and I felt so alone, as if I did not at all belong in this world. Tears flowed like rivers – I was desperately frightened and lonely. Suddenly I felt a presence of something. Now I know it was God. At once I knew that I belonged in this world, that everything would turn out beautiful, and life would shine on me. Shortly after, I recognized the same presence as I watched a movie about Jesus, and I decided to surrender my life to him. This changed everything! From now on, though darkness surrounded me, I was wrapped in a blanket of light. I was a seed planted in the desert that had a secret source of shade and water, which meant that I could grow.
Ages 7 – 12, Swedish Serenity
As interesting a place as Christiania was, it was not a place that my mother wanted to raise her only child, so when I was 6 we moved to Värmland, Sweden. Surrounded by lakes and forests, and mountains and wild life, this – for my parents – was still the realization of a hippie dream. Yes, my parents were hippies… and evangelists. A funny combination, but these were the 70’s, and back then hippy-evangelists were quite common. These are the years that I began to entertain God’s presence and learn to hear His voice. I plaid the piano and wrote songs. I remember writing my first song! It was called “I am going round the world”. Now, twenty years later, that I have travelled to more than 30 countries, that song proved true. As I began to seek God with all my heart, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and called into ministry. I would spend days on end studying and preparing for what I knew in my heart would be a life of service and ministry to God.
Ages 13 – 22, Ministry First Fruits
When I was 12 we moved back to Copenhagen, Denmark, to a lovely place called Dragor. These are the years, where I entered into the ministry. Yes, I studied (political science and bio-technology), and I always had a job, but where I spent probably the most of my time was in Church. I remember Monday choir-rehearsal, Tuesday Bible-studies, Wednesday mid-week services, Friday prayer-meetings, Saturday music-rehearsals, and Sunday Church-services. Besides that, I got my friends saved and I baptized them in the ocean, and started to hold youth meetings in my home on Thursdays. By now I was both worship leader and choir director, and I had already composed 40 songs. I continued to yearn after revival. My real hunger for revival, however, was not fully satisfied in Denmark. Yes, I had several meaningful encounters with God, but it seemed like if I wanted to come further with God, I needed to do something drastic, so I decided to travel abroad.
Ages 23 – 30, Full Time Ministry & A Thing Called Love
In 2000 I travelled to the USA. I discovered my American heritage and my world-view was changed quite a bit, as the socialist paradigm that I was socialized with in the Danish school-system was challenged by a second opinion. What an eye-opener. It’s here I learnt that wonderful people can have completely different outlooks on life, yet still be amazingly beautiful at heart. I can’t exaggerate how influential this time in my life was. I also went to Bible-school and was a pastoral intern at Christ The Rock Fellowship, Seattle.
Now I want to jump to the most important event in my life that I can think of. Summer 2003. This is where I met and married my best friend, companion and lover, Mary. She is the most awesome and inspiring person that I know, and my life is so much richer because she is in my life.
From 2004 to 2006 we lived in Riga, Latvia, where we were involved in the ministry of New Generation International, a worldwide ministry with more than 200 Churches in 17 countries. Serving in the team of Alexei Ledyaev, the founding pastor of this movement, was an unparalleled adventure in itself. I have especially been happy to work together with such professional musicians of such a high level. And it is in Riga, that I met Nick Lukjanov, and my first album, Desert, was recorded. I was the vocal director and worship-leader, and together with NG Band and NG choir we did 30 concerts a year, throughout eastern Europe, Ukraine, White Russia, Russia and the USA.
In 2006 Mary gave birth to our first son, Emmanuel-Luke, a true treasure from God. Also in 2006 we returned to Scandinavia to open a highly professional music-school, European Gospel Music Academy. Apart from doing several concerts and being instructor at a variety of festivals, I also recorded another album. But – in our spirits and hearts, we were compelled to make yet a move. A transition of greater proportions.
Since the fall of 2008, Mary and I have bought a beautiful house by the lake in Nykroppa/Filipstad. Here we have started 3 new choirs; in Karlstad, Kristinehamn, and Filipstad. It is our intention to start various projects, festivals, and ministries in due time, including European Gospel Music Academy. You are most welcome to partake in our fellowship and vision, which we have called Common Ground.
God bless you all,
Dan