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.

Hi, my name is Dale and I am one of the guitar teachers at Athena College. I have been playing music since the age of 9 (21 years of experience on the guitar as well as 15 years on the bass guitar). I am intensely passionate about music and art and I think that shows in my teaching of the guitar. It gives me great pleasure and pride to see my students learn and flourish at their instrument. I have been teaching professionally for close to a decade and playing professionally for about the same in numerous bands such as Mourning Tide (a hard rock band, we have released two full length albums, the last one which was mixed and mastered in the USA as well as countless tours around Australia) and Mescalito Blues (a power blues duo that plays all over the coast and occasionally internationally). These experiences playing professionally in the industry inform my teaching practice and give me a unique tool to use when teaching students with an eye for performance in the future as well teaching them to be creative on their instrument but most of all, to have fun doing it!

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.

I have been a dancer myself since I was four and started teaching as a student teacher when I was 14. I spent 2 years part-time teaching  ballet, jazz, tap, cabaret and drama  at a Performing Arts School in Tamworth NSW.                           

 I choreographed a musical at my high school in 2006 and really enjoyed working with all types of performers. I have recieved my Advanced 1 certificate in ballet (RAD) and Bronze star certs in Jazz and Tap (FATD). I’ve also completed a Diploma in Speech and Drama and are currently studying to recieve a Diploma in Performance (musical theatre).

I believe dancing for kids should be a time that they can truly be themselves and have complete confidence to be in a environment that has no judgement so they can relax and have fun.  God’s given kids the gift and love of dance so its my passion to teach kids to use this gift and encourage them to follow their dreams.

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.