Five Minutes with Ms De Niese

Do you collect anything?

Yes, I collect shoes and Disney bags, specifically, Dooney and Bourke and Loungefly, which are very specific Disney brands.

Do you play a musical instrument? If so, which one?

I do! I play a lot of instruments: flute is my main instrument, but I also play clarinet, saxophone, guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, keys, banjo, and banjolele because it’s just so cute.

How long have you worked at Beaumaris?

1 year and 1 term, but when Beaumaris was part of Sandringham College, I was here for 15 years.

How many languages do you speak?

Just English. I did German in high school, but I can’t remember much of it.

If you could choose to be anything for a day, what would it be?

A big, squishy pillow, so I can stay in bed all day and be comfy and warm.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

It would be any kind of pasta; I’m very much a pasta person.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, you’ve never been, where would you go?

I'd love to visit Machu Picchu—I've always wanted to go there.

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

Mind reading, maybe, because it would give you a better understanding of things and let you know what people really think.

Tell us about your family.

I have two parents who are still together, two younger sisters who everyone thinks are older than me, and a brand-new little nephew who is now seven months old. And, of course, my partner.

What animal would you like to be for a day?

A dog, so I could stay at home all day, sleep on the couch, get all the cuddles, and have people look after me.

What book/tv series/podcasts are you into at the moment?

I enjoy music biographies, like The Storyteller, which is about Dave Grohl. I listen to Disorder, which covers all the Disney movies, and I really like Don’t Go Out There, which is about horror movies. I also listen to Timestuck, which covers any topic and includes extensive research, which I love. There are so many topics I’m into!

What is it you hope to be able to say about your years of teaching when you’ve retired?

I hope people will love music and continue to pursue it later in life because they remember learning it with me.

What is your favourite movie?

I have way too many favourites to choose just one!

What is your favourite music?

My favorite style is nu-metal (spelled correctly), but I listen to anything and everything.

What is your ideal way to unwind and relax?

I recline my sofa and play on my Steam Deck, Switch, or PS5—basically, I play video games. And I must have a Coca-Cola and chocolate.

What is your role at the school?

I am the greatest music teacher!

What would you sing at karaoke night?

I’d sing 'Don’t Stop Me Now' by Queen.

Who would you like to swap places with for the day?

I’d swap places with Bob Iger, the Disney CEO, so I could fix up the parks and make them better for everyone.

Thanks, Ms De Niese! 

Interview by Lara K (Year 9) & Oliver P (Year 10)