Meet The Team!
Dr. Hannah Neuhauser
Founder & Executive Director
Yup! The Doctor part is real! Before Starfish Seekers, I was a college professor at UT Austin teaching music history with a specialization in children’s media. I even wrote a book, Golden Melodies, which will be published by the University of Mississippi Press! My work explores the evolutionary history of musical adaptations of children’s literature.
I’ve also been a Teaching Artist for music and theatre for over a decade! While finishing my doctorate, I was also working as a professional stage manager, a sound designer, and a performer. I’ve worked with Hideout Improv Theatre, Zach Theatre, Ballet Austin, The Vortex, Shalom Austin, and Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Theatre has always been the spring in my step when everything hits the ground and I want to make a difference by providing that joy to those who need the lift.
Mady Morneault
Production Manager
Meet our Production Manager, Mady Morneault!
Born and raised in the city of Austin, Mady’s artistic journey started in musical theatre performance at just 5 years old. Their love of the stage then blossomed into a passion for teaching artistry and hasn’t stopped growing for 15 years!
Mady graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre for Youth and Communities from UT Austin (where they met Dr. Hannah!) where they learned how to build accessible arts programs to help young minds discover their creative voice. Alongside Starfish Seekers, Mady is a tenured Director at kidsActingStudio, Event Manager at kidsActing Foundation, and can be seen performing in local productions. From the classroom, to the stage, to making magic behind the scenes, theatre has always been the place where Mady feels most at home.
Joe Jaxson
Operations Assistant
Composer-in-Residence for the Richmond Symphony and the Austin Brass Band, Joe Jaxson is enjoying the whirlwind of a burgeoning professional career that is coinciding with the culmination of his academic pursuits as he continues his doctoral studies.
Born in NY (b.2000) and raised in Staunton, VA, the Jaxson(Jackson) household was filled with the euphonious sounds of Smooth Jazz, Soul, R&B, and more thanks to his father; whereas on his mother’s side was Classical and Christian Gospel. Having grown up with these genres blended every which way contributed to Joe developing a strong ear for music and sound.
Joe earned his B.M. in Composition at James Madison University in 2022, studying with professors Eric Guinivan and Jason Haney. Finishing up his Doctoral studies at UT Austin, studying with Professors Donald Grantham, Yevgeniy Sharlat, Omar Thomas, Joe works in multiple mediums (Band, Orchestra, Chamber, etc.) to create a diverse and multi-faceted portfolio writing everything from beginning band to experimental foley however championing his want to collaborate and connect with mass audiences.