Dene is currently first violinist with both the Goldner String Quartet and the Australia Ensemble at UNSW. He is also Concertmaster Emeritus of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and is Artistic Advisor for Australia’s Young Performers Awards. In addition, he has many solo and recording credits to his name with major conductors and orchestras including many world premieres. He trained at the Juilliard School in New York and lives in Sydney with his wife Irina Morozova and son Nikolai.