Staff

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

 Hi, my name is Maddi Gill and I have recently joined the Athena College team teaching Singing and Piano. My passion for the arts started when I was four years old through dance, choirs, eisteddfods and performances which lead on to a lead role in the School Musical “Godspell”. I also studied Piano to compliment my music passion. I have been a student at Athena College for the past five years where I have studied with Sue Den Besten.

I’ve recently completed Year 12 at St Andrews Lutheran College where I studied Music and achieved a Very High Achievement. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Education - Primary at Griffith University.

My love of music and my passion to teach makes it such a delight to work with students at Athena College.

Dan Verni has been involved and surrounded by music since he could walk. From playing on an air-guitar with his cousins performing for family when he was a kid, to touring the eastern states of Australia with local Gold Coast rock-outfit FLICKER SWITCH, Dan has been playing Bass Guitar since he was 13, taught by QLD CONSERVATORIUM educated teachers.

Dan has an immense experience playing a plethora of live shows with Flicker Switch, signing to Hum Records and MGM Distribution in 2005 with 3 recorded EP’s under his belt, and recently recorded their debut self-funded full length album “New Day.”

As well as becoming a team member here at Athena College as the resident Bass Guitar Teacher, Dan also works alongside Dolphins and Seals at Sea World, filming the animal adventure program.

Hi, my name is Susan Mostert. I started piano at the age of twelve and it has always been my biggest passion. I attended a performing arts school in New Zealand “The Corelli School of the Performing Arts” I was involved in various concerts, accompaniment, orchestras, ensemble groups and teaching. Currently I am studying at Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium doing my Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance.  I love sharing music with other people in the world, whether it is through teaching or performance I think it is an exciting and valuable experience.

Dale has been playing and teaching guitar for more than 15 years and really enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of the instrument with his students. He is lead guitarist for the band "Mourning Tide" as well as playing in duos and touring his music. Dale has brought flair and technique with his teaching style and his students are really enjoying his classes.

Liam plays both french horn and trumpet and is a member of the Gold Coast Youth Symphony as well as being the Stage Manager. He has recently completed his senior school studies. Liam also plays and teaches guitar and happily shares his musical skills and knowledge with young guitar students.

Hi, my name is Gabee and I am a dancer from Newcastle NSW. Since the age of 2, I have had experience in many types of dancing including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Funk, Hip Hop and Contemporary. I personally believe Tap to be my forte’!!
I have loved dancing all my life and since I started teaching at age 16, I have really enjoyed the challenge of choreographing. Throughout my life I have performed in many concerts, productions, musicals and promos. I love being able to share my passion for dance with my students.

Hello! I was introduced to music when I was born, and when I was 3 1/2  I started having group lessons and later private lessons.
In 2007, I graduated with a BA in Music from Avondale College- NSW, and whilst studying there, I finished my grade 8 in piano.
A year later, I went to the USA to study a piano pedagogy course. With this newly attained knowledge, I came back to Australia and have taught many students how to enjoy playing the piano. 
I am very passionate about helping my students to both learn and enjoy the piano.  I put in everything that I have to help my students to achieve their goals.

Natalie’s music and performance career began when she was in year 1 when she sang and danced to Kylie’s ‘I should be so lucky’ for show and tell. Her classmates cheered and roared and after this moment she new her life had to be surrounded by music and performance.
Not long after she started playing guitar. Over the years she completed up to grade 5 with the AMEB.  She received years of jazz and classical vocal tuition and has recently completed a Bachelor of Popular Music at the Qld Conservatorium of Music.
For the last 10 years Natalie has focused on being a Singer/Songwriter and is the lead vocalist/writer in the band ‘Natalie and the Beekeepers’. She has toured the east coast and national and is about to release her 2nd album.
Natalie’s other passion in life is education.  She has worked as an early childhood teacher, teaching English as a second language to adults, vocal and guitar tuition and is currently completing her post-grad in primary education at Griffith University.
She is a bright, colourful and fun person who likes long walks on the beach and red wine.

Neelam has been learning dance from the age of 4, performing in many stage shows and Indian epics. She has participated and choreographed  'whole evening shows ' for both Indian classical, Bollywood and Indian folk.  Neelam has also performed in a graduation ceremony in South Indian classical dance ( done after 7 yrs of dance curriculum ) at the age of 15, and appeared up to Grade 3 ( highest is grade 6) in Bharatnatyam ( South Indian classical ) for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing exams, London UK. Neelam has been dancing as an active member of the ladies' group at Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavans, Manchester UK. She has been on Zee TV (Indian international channel) in the 2010 Diwali celebrations.

Anna’s love of singing developed at a very young age. She was inspired by an amazing primary school music teacher, joined the junior choir and hasn’t stopped since.
 
Anna is in her final year of university, completing a Bachelor of Education – Primary, specialising in Music. In her most recent years, she has performed at formal occasions and venues, including weddings, recorded two professionally CDs, was the lead vocalist for her high school Jazz Band at assemblies and Eisteddfods, performed lead roles in musicals, such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and sung solo at Carols in the Park. Anna has experience working with students aged 5 to 13 in a primary school music classroom, where for the past two years she has taken on the responsibility of organising and conducting the school’s choir. Her dream is inspire children through music education, just as her music teacher had inspired her.
 
Anna is so happy to be able to share her passion for music and singing with the students of Athena College.