Sue den Besten
Founder and Principal

I have been involved in Music Education for the past 25 years, having taught in a variety of school settings: secondary, primary, early childhood, large and also relatively small schools, independent, public and private school systems, as a Consultant in the Arts for Qld Ed., overseas exchange postings and most recently in an International school in China, where I was in charge of a thriving music department and Head of the Senior School. I am passionate about teaching and I believe that is evidenced through my teaching of music. I have always provided opportunities for all students to access the joys of music, dance and drama, regardless of their individual musical ability.

I am excited that Athena College, a lifelong dream is being realised and is on the Gold Coast, providing quality education in the arts. Please feel free to call in and see our school in progress: we are all very proud of this new direction in arts education and look forward to sharing it with you.

Email: sdenbesten@athenacollege.com.au

Stewart Kelly
Teacher of Piano and Theory

Stewart is a respected local performer, associate artist, pedagogue and conductor. He was a foundation staff member of Athena College, as it approaches its third birthday. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Queensland University of Technology where he studied under former Victorian College of the Arts Dean of Music Gillian Wills. He has also been taught by respected Brisbane pianists Mitchell Leigh and Mark Gibson and was for ten years a student of local pedagogue Bill Murray.

He has performed with a myriad of ensembles, orchestras and bands across a variety of styles including jazz and chamber groups. He is principal keyboard player and repetituer for the newly formed, professional Gold Coast Symphony Orchestra. Stewart is the pianist in a Brisbane based contemporary chamber trio "Friends in Low Places", a group dedicated to developing lower brass repertoire. Stewart is an official accompanist to the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Australia's largest, and to several local schools. He regularly accompanies several of the regions top performers in concerts around south-east Queensland.

A seasoned musical theatre performer, he has been involved in all aspects of theatrical productions in recent years. Stewart has had the chance to work with Australian showbiz icons including James Morrison, Galapogas Duck, Julie Anthony and Stuart Wagstaff among others.

His teaching experience includes work at St. Michaels Catholic School, and St Andrews Lutheran College.


Email: skelly@athenacollege.com.au

Saraya Beric
Teacher of Violin

Saraya began violin lessons at the age of 5 and now holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Queensland Conservatorium where she studied under Michele Walsh (Head of Strings) and Alan Smith (Co-Concertmaster of The Queensland Orchestra).
Saraya started performing on the Gold Coast and has since, performed throughout Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Europe. She has also performed as a soloist with the Gold Coast Youth Symphony (2002), has been a recitalist in the Gold Coast’s Four Season Soirees and has successfully auditioned for other shows including the Arena Spectacular at the Gold Coast show.
Saraya has also been a member of the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra, which toured throughout Europe in 2004, and the following year completed a traineeship with The Queensland Orchestra. Most recently she was part of The Deep Blue Orchestra in the 2006 Brisbane Festival.
On the corporate entertainment front, Saraya has been a member of an electric string trio which became the first female group to be signed by Yamaha Music Australia. Currently, she is performing as a Hip Hop Violinist and with some of the countries top Hip Hop acts.
Saraya has had the pleasure of performing with and supporting well known artists such as the acclaimed Australian rock/pop band The Whitlam’s, James Morrison, Jimmy Barnes, Anthony Callea, Shannon Noll, Cheryl Lynn, Tom Thum, Joel Turner and Illzilla.
Saraya is also a co-founder and managing director of Australia’s first all female string orchestra - ‘The String Selection.’

George Carpenter
Teacher of Percussion and Drum Kit

Hi, my name’s George Carpenter and I have been passionately involved with music my whole life. Initially playing woodwinds, I later found myself behind the snare at concert band. At age 9, I began learning drum kit and that has been my life ever since. I have taken tuition from renowned Australian teachers such as Mark Charters, Todd Byrnes, Kerry Jacobson and Darren Farrugia. In my senior year of schooling I was presented with a significant award given to a student who inspires and mentors positively within the performing arts. My playing experience includes percussion in both the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra and the Queensland State Honours Wind Ensembles. As well, in a jazz role with my school’s regional champion Big Band and as drummer/writer/producer in my own professional rock band ‘The Flash’. Aside from teaching, I am currently finishing work on a debut album for ‘The Flash’ as well several other performance projects and a Bachelor of Popular Music at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.


Email: gcarpenter@athenacollege.com.au

James Wengrow
Teacher of Guitar

James Wengrow is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, majoring in Jazz Guitar. He is a member of the Conservatorium Big Band as well as the Guitar ensemble, ‘Hear It!?’. Outside the Conservatorium, James has embarked on a promising and successful music career.
James started performing professionally at the age of 14 at ‘The Basement’, Gold Coast Arts Centre. Since then, James has had countless performances around the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern NSW areas – solo, as part of various groups or ensembles, and as band leader. He has been a member of ‘The New Boys’, a professional jazz/funk group consisting of some conservatorium tutors, who play at jazz clubs as well as recording an album early 2006. The ‘James Wengrow Trio’ has played in various venues and private functions with different hired session musicians. James has recorded his own CD in 2007 and 2008. He also played in rock bands which have recorded, performed at the schoolies 2006 festival and has had success at band competitions.

James has been teaching guitar for the last three years. Although his professional forte lies with jazz, James enjoys playing and teaching all styles, from Rock, Pop, Funk, Metal, Blues and more. James has taught people of all ages; from young children to adults. Whether you want to learn how to read music and understand music theory, or learn how to play some licks and some of your favourite songs on the radio, James can assist you on your musical journey.

Justin Beere
Teacher of Woodwind

Justin is a motivated and energetic clarinetist, having played since the age of eight. His teachers have included respected local woodwind practitioner Steve O'Malley, renowned Brisbane based Bradely Millard and respected performer Stephen Wylks. Justin is a passionate exponent of a number of music genres, and has great depths of experience in classical, orchestral and jazz styles, both as soloist and in ensemble environments. He has also studied improvisation with revered saxophonist John Baggage.

Justin has extensive ensemble and chamber performance experience. He is principal clarinet and woodwind section leader in the newly formed, professional Gold Coast Symphony Orchestra, he participated in amateur orchestras for a number of years and was soloist with the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra at the age of just 15. Although a clarinet specialist, Justin is a confident performer on the entire wind family. He currently performs as Principal Clarinet and flautist in Brisbane based new music ensemble NoOsphere, Bass Clarinet in a Wind Symphony and baritone saxophone in a big band. Justin also regularly performs on the amateur and semi-professional theatre circuit. He holds a degree in Music Studies and Performance from the Queensland University of Technology.

In addition to his teaching work with Athena, Justin is Woodwind specialist and beginner band coach at All Saints Anglican School.

Christine Hundleby
Teacher of Piano/Voice/Guitar

My whole life has been surrounded in Music and my passion and love for it gives me happiness and joy. I think that it is important to feel freedom of expression through music and to share it with other people and most importantly, allow your heart to light up with joy whilst doing it. I started learning classical piano at age seven and have completed my grade 6 in The Royal Schools of Music, London. Vocal and singing training played a big part in my High School life and I was an enthusiastic participant in Church and School Choirs. The biggest and strongest influences for me is that I have been fortunate enough to have grown up within a musical family and was nurtured and encouraged to sing and perform at an early age. From the ages of 11 to 15, I played 1st Clarinet in the Howick and Pakuranga Youth Orchestra and the Howick School of Music Orchestra in Auckland, New Zealand. In 1995 I taught a pre-instrumental programme for pre-school children while still a student at the Howick School of Music in Auckland, New Zealand.

In 2003 whilst studying at James Cook University in Cairns, Far North Queensland, I achieved first place in the James Cook University “ Battle of the Bands” as lead vocalist for my band at the time “ Kasava” and just recently while residing in New Zealand, participated in live performances demonstrating West African song and Djembe ensembles with internationally recognised World Musician, Mohammed Bangoura. My particular genres of choice come from musical influences across the board, ranging from traditional classical music to folk/rock/reggae and traditional cultural music as well. I am especially keen to extend cultural and world music through performance and teaching and allow my students to have a fuller more wholistic and broader approach to music. My aim is to help and to enrich the cultural interface between those of the Australian and Global communities, by encouraging the spirit of expression and sharing of music with everyone.

Steffanie Kriz
Teacher of Music Theatre

Steffanie Kriz has joined the staff of Athena College as a singing and theatre arts teacher. She has studied both speech and drama and singing from a very young age. Steffanie’s main passion is musical theatre and she has been a prominent member of the Gold Coast theatre scene for many years. She has been involved in productions including The Sound of Music, Funny Girl, Little Shop of Horrors, A Chorus Line and Into the Woods. She has performed along side Peter Cousins, Stewart Wagstaff and Julie Anthony. Steffanie spent last year working in an English Prep School where she assisted with the choral direction of the choir and with the schools music program. Whilst she was there she co-directed the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Currently Steffanie is Studying Psychology and Education at Griffith University.

Patricia Ciafardini
Teacher of Visual Art

Athena College is proud to have one of the Gold Coast's most revered and loved art specialists working with us. Pat has two decades experience working as a primary art specialist and her genuine love for every child and passion she has for every project is infectious.

In addition to her role at Athena, Pat continues to work full time in a leading Gold Coast private school, making her commitment to work with us even more special and exciting.

Vicki Morley
Teacher of Visual Art

Vicki is one of the Gold Coast's foremost art educators (currently Head of Visual Art in a leading private school) and a respected artist in her own right. With an impressive knowledge transcending many visual genre's Vicki steers a group of motivated adults through a diverse and stimulating course at Athena College. Her popular Thursday evening classes move through many media with Vicki's guiding hand and the relaxed and casual spirit of the classes meaning anyone can come along and enjoy themselves.

Athena College is proud to have Vicki as part of our teaching staff.

Rebecca Rankin
Teacher of Ballet and Jazz

I have had experience in ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary and taught those styles for some time now. I have done several workshops with the Queensland and Australian Ballet. I have participated in Eisteddfods around South East Queensland (Twin Towns, Tropicarnival and Beenleigh) and participated in workshops at the Royal Academy of Dance and attended performances of the Royal Ballet in London. I am currently completing a degree in Primary Education and gaining qualifications to teach Dance at High School level. I have already completed a Certificate in Theatre Studies and a Certificate in Education Studies from Griffith University.

Email: rgodby@athenacollege.com.au

Samantha Roberts
Teacher of Belly Dance

Samantha has been a ballroom dancer since the age of 5, and a dance teacher since the age of 15. She took up bellydancing to improve her body’s muscle tone and suppleness for the Latin American dance, and in the process fell in love with this art form and voila! the rest is history. She has been taught by the finest teachers/dancers from the Middle East, and enjoys teaching this art form to anyone wishing to learn.

Samantha has a Teacher’s Certificate with the Association of Australian Teachers of Dance, and is currently completing another with the Federal Association of Teachers of Dance. She has competed in the Oasis Dream Competition in 1998 and 1999, receiving two 1st places and two 2nd places, all self-choreographed. Competitive success has also been achieved at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Tweed Heads Festival and Spotlight Theatre Festival, gaining 1st, 2nd and Highly Commended with Honours.

Julia Steele-Scott
Teacher of Aerobics and Pure Energy

I have been working in the fitness industry for a number of years and have recently obtained my qualifications as a master trainer through the Australian Institute of Fitness. I currently teach the Les Mills programs at gyms across the Gold Coast and am thrilled to be teaching my 'Pure Energy' course at Athena College.

Kathy McLean
Teacher of Speech and Drama

Greetings! My name is Kathy McLean and over the past 18 years I have introduced and taught Speech and Drama and Drama programmes at the Shore College in Sydney, Toowoomba Preparatory School and Fairholme PLC College in Toowoomba where my students reached a high level of achievement in their performance studies, many being granted Top of the State Awards for their Trinity College of London Examinations.

In addition to my Speech and Drama I have also developed an Effective Communications Course which is designed to teach students the principles of presenting effectively and speaking confidently in public, without anxiety. This course has received very positive feedback from both teachers and parents and is currently running at the Cranbrook Boys College in Sydney.

I have recently relocated to the Gold Coast and am very excited to be teaching my programme at Athena College. I am passionate about what I teach and I encourage my students to reach their highest potential.

Janette Sheehan
Teacher of Yoga

Hi my name is Janette. I enjoy teaching Hatha Yoga, especially to beginners, which I have been doing for twelve years. Throughout the year I attend workshops to continue learning. We have a great class on Thursdays, each person working at their own level and modifying the postures as needed. In the class we also do breathing exercises and a guided relaxation to finish off. Classes can be taken on a casual basis or 8 week term.

Sophie Forbes
Teacher of Piano

Hi, my name is Sophie Forbes. I started playing the piano when I was 6 years old and have loved being involved in music ever since. I have played in big bands and accompanied orchestras and soloists throughout middle and high school, as well as the lessons and those dreaded exams!!

I just started my first year at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) studying Industrial Design (which is product design) and I also work in an Architectural Firm in Brisbane.

I hope to be a successful designer while keeping up music and piano for the rest of my life!

Rebekah O'Sullivan
SPEECH, DRAMA AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION TEACHER CAMERA ACTING AND TV PRESENTING TEACHER

Rebekah O’Sullivan is a professional actress and television presenter. Having studied at the prestigious Rose Bruford College in London, she has been working professionally as an actress in London and Australia for the past 13 years in television, theatre and film. She is also a trained Trinity College of London teacher and specialises in teaching Speech, Drama and Effective Communication to students of all ages. She also runs programmes in Camera Acting, Audition Technique and TV presenting. She runs her own company and has been teaching at various private schools and institutions in Sydney and Queensland for the past 13 years, including ATHENA COLLEGE. Many of her students have won Trinity College of London awards for their examinations and performances. She also works with corporate clients and is presently studying for her LLB Bachelor of Law degree.

Her programmes are designed to:
- Teach acting and performance skills for theatre, film and television
- Improve confidence, self esteem and expression skills
- Correct pronunciation, articulation and voice problems
- Develop public speaking and effective presentation skills
- Prepare students for auditions and Trinity College of London examinations
- Enhance non verbal and verbal communication skills
- Develop concentration, focus, etiquette and grooming.

Rebekah is passionate about helping her students to reach their ultimate potential in a
fun learning environment. She is enjoying teaching at ATHENA COLLEGE immensely.

Adrian Young
Teacher of Guitar

Adrian’s dynamic stage show once exploded with clean vocals and smooth guitar. Having entertained countless patrons and guests at foot stomping parties, corporate functions, restaurants, resorts and cruisy pubs, as a solo, duo, trio and band performer and having performed in venues all over the Gold Coast from Twin Towns to Jupiter’s Casino to Stradbroke Island, Adrian’s stage show demonstrates an entertainment package of more than 25 years in the professional music industry. Having warmed up audiences for Jimmy Barnes, INXS, Mental As Anything, and Johnny Diesel to name a few, Adrian Young makes it plain to see that he is truly a seasoned professional. He now teaches High School music, is a Youth Minister in chaplaincy, and joined Athena College at the beginning of 2008 as a guitar teacher.

James Yorath
Teacher of Brass

James' Biography will be uploaded shortly.