Sue den Besten
Founder and Principal

I have been involved in Music Education for the past 30 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

Stewart is a respected performer, associate artist, pedagogue and conductor. He holds a Bachelor of Music Performance (Distinction) 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 is currently completing a Master of Music Studies at the Queensland Conservatorium, studying under Diane Selmon. As a chamber musician, Stewart performs as pianist in ‘Refraction’ one of Australia's most dynamic emerging chamber music ensembles as well as performing in a new piano trio, a two piano duo and with a number of singers with whom he regularly collaborates.

Stewart is artistic director of the “Sunday Sessions” concert series. Stewart has performed in masterclasses with pianists such as Michael Kieran Harvey, Piers Lane, Kathryn Stott and Hamish Milne and recorded for 4MBS radio. He is also a passionate teacher and was a foundation member of staff at Athena College. His teaching experience also includes work with St. Michaels Catholic School and St. Andrews Lutheran College.

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

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!

Brittany McCormack
Teacher of Piano & Violin

Hi,my name is Brittany McCormack. My passion for music has become a major part of my life. I began learning classical piano when I was 5, and have been playing and performing ever since. I have also been playing the violin since I was 8, participated in various ensembles, and picked up the flute when I was 10. I have studied Musicianship Theory, and have written my own compositions which have claimed prizes in competitions.

I have experience in teaching and tutoring students in music, and in 2008, I participated in a program where I taught in one of England’s biggest private boarding schools as an assistant teacher for the year. While there, a large portion of my time was spent assisting the Music Department. I was given the responsibility of teaching classroom music, helping out with the school ensembles, assisting in the preparation of concerts involving singing, dancing and music ensembles, and privately tutoring students in piano, violin & theory, in which I prepared and successfully saw them through their examinations.

I am currently attending Griffith University where I am studying Primary Education, later specialising in Music. It has been a dream of mine for many years to become a music teacher, and I hope to encourage this love of music in my students.

Bek Hughes
Teacher of Singing and Piano

Hi, my name is Bek Hughes. I have been involved with music my whole life, and it has developed into such a passion of mine. At the age of 8 I began classical piano, which I studied for a further 8 years, and have been playing and enjoying ever since. During my schooling years the arts was a huge part of my education, performing at assemblies and eisteddfods and also competing outside of my school. I have been singing my whole life and I intend continuing for the rest of my life.
Although I have a interest in classical music, I have a real fascination with alternative and pop music. I have recently done a couple of live stage gigs, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and would love to continue doing. Having studied both drama and singing during school, I absolutely love stage work and have performed in many musicals including "Little Shop of Horrors", "High School Musical", "Grease" and "The Wedding Singer". To have such passions and be able to further them even more by being able to teach them to others, is a real blessing that I have been granted.

Tom Moore
Teacher of Drums and Guitar

Tom is an established studio and live drummer having worked with a number of artists nationally and internationally. At a young age he had already begun performing at festivals such as the Broadbeach Blues Festival and with the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Big Band. Having received endorsements from Yamaha Drums and Paiste Cymbals he is a respected and reputable musician within the music community. If Tom isn’t drumming on-stage its most likely he can be found behind the sound desk or planning lighting designs. As a multi-instrumentalist, Tom enjoys spending time sharing his knowledge to keen musicians and is excited to be a part of the Athena team in 2010!

Morgan Goulding
Teacher of Flute, Piano and Drama

Hi there, my name is Morgan Goulding and I specialise in flute, piano & drama. Music and drama have been a part of my life for over eight years and I enjoy every moment of it. My journey began when I was 7 and was encouraged to start speech and drama. A year later I started learning piano and realised I loved to hear the sound of music emanating from such beautiful instruments. I wanted to learn a second instrument and chose the flute for its mysterious and alluring sound.

I have participated in many school bands and ensembles and was a member of the GCYO (Gold Coast Youth Orchestra) Wind Ensemble for 2 years and Youth Symphony for six months. I have also competed and placed in many eisteddfods and competitions. I am presently a Year 11 student wishing to pursue a career in music.

I hope to share my passion for music and drama with my students, strive for achievement and have fun!

Bosiljka (Ika) Dobrenov
Teacher of Piano

It is with great pleasure that we welcome, Bosiljka(Ika) Dobrenov to Athena College. Ika is a graduate of the University of Belgrade and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and talent with us. Ika has performed on several occasions as a concert pianist and is the author of a number of piano teaching method books. Athena College is fortunate to have this world-class piano teacher on our staff and we are pleased to present her to our students. Dont miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from this wonderful teacher.