Meet The Team
Freya Meredith-Hanson
Freya Meredith-Hanson (DipMT BMus MFA), a Worimi/Wonnarua woman, is a pioneering interdisciplinary performing arts practitioner, academic and advocate.
An early-career researcher, Freya was recently recognised as the first Australian First Nations published researcher in the singing voice. Her primary research, published in the Australian Voice journal, focused on sustainability of music theatre belting in late-adolescent female voices. Freya also works extensively within the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Performing Artist: Freya is a life-long performer, starting dance classes at the age of 2 in an effort to overcome developmental and social challenges. Freya attended Hunter School of the Performing Arts for music, coming 1st state-wise in HSC Music 1 Performance. It was also at HSPA where Freya joined and led Millabah Dance Troupe in traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dance. Freya has performed with prestigious First Nations dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre and NAISDA Dance College. She is also known for her role as “Scallywag Freya” on the Apple TV hit The Little Scallywagz Playhouse (2014-2025). Honing both her music and dance training, Freya has had the privilege of playing many roles in music theatre, her favourites including Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, Beth in Little Women and Yum-Yum in Hot Mikado. As a musician, Freya takes pride in being a versatile cross-trained vocalist and challenging traditional stylistic approaches as a performer and music arranger.
Performing Arts Advocacy: Freya is an advocate for reform within Australia’s performing arts industry and decolonising music education, with particular emphasis on creating equitable performing arts opportunities for First Nations people. Additionally, Freya is an inaugural member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of ANATS. Through ongoing research and advocacy, Freya is dedicated to inspiring others to join her in fostering an equitable and validating industry for all.
Ngarkatowa nyiirun kilibiinbiin.
Brent Meredith-Hanson
Brent Meredith-Hanson (BMus, DipMT) is a performer, multi-instrumentalist, conductor, music director and music teacher.
Brent has always been passionate about music, coming from a musical family. He began piano lessons at the age of 6 and learning recorder and flute from the age of 7. Being highly involved in the music program in primary school, he continued on to study at the Hunter School of the Performing Arts. Here he was involved in multiple bands and was the Drum Major of the high school’s marching band.
Following on from high school, Brent began conducting the Western Lake Macquarie Concert Band. After playing in the orchestra for various Maitland Musical Society productions, Brent was the assistant music director for Sondheim’s Into The Woods. During this production, Brent met his wife Freya who was Vocal Director. Freya sparked Brent’s interest in performing in musicals and eventually performed with Brent in his first show, a musical revue.
Brent found his passion for musical theatre during this production and went on to study his Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2016 with WEA Hunter. During his time studying at WEA Hunter, Brent performed as Al in A Chorus Line and Mereb in Aida. Brent went on to study his Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) at the University of Newcastle, graduating in 2019. During his BMus, he received the Doris Smith Scholarship in 2018, and faculty commendations in 2018 and 2019.
As a music director, Brent has led multiple productions including Hot Mikado (2019) and Rent (2017) for which he was nominated for a City of Newcastle Drama Association Award for Excellence by a Music Director.
Brent most recently performed as Frederic along side Freya as Mabel in Pirates of Penznace in 2019.
Brent is excited to be working alongside his wife again with Resonant Voice Online, taking care of the admin side, as well making support and learning opportunities accessible for everyone.
Samuel Jenkins
Samuel Jenkins is an 18 year old performer, director and technical crew member.
Samuel began drama lessons at the age of 8 with Young People’s Theatre (YPT), Newcastle, and has since developed a strong passion for all aspects of performing whether it be on stage or behind the scenes.
During his theatrical training, Samuel has studied a variety of theatrical disciplines including acting, singing, directing and technical crew as a long time student and now tutor at Young People’s Theatre. Freya has been a huge part of his vocal journey as his singing tutor since 2018, as well as Brent, who has taught and musically directed Samuel in both musical theatre classes and productions.
Samuel’s recent show credits include, Old Deuteronomy in CATS Abridged, the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland Jr, The Hot Mikado, Father in ‘The Children of Eden Jr’ (all Young People’s Theatre, Newcastle) and is currently rehearsing to play Casey in Bearfoot Theatre Company’s ‘Do Your Parents Know You’re Straight?’ and Gomez in Young People’s Theatre’s ‘The Addams Family’ for 2021.
In 2019, Samuel achieved an impressive High Distinction in Grade 6 Musical Theatre with Trinity Exams. Samuel has also extended his theatrical experience internationally after being selected to become apart of the 2020 Australian team for the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, and has also had the opportunity to act as a CONDA Youth Ambassador for 2020 and 2021, representing the Youth theatre community of Newcastle.
Samuel is very excited to be working alongside Freya and Brent as their social media assistant and substitute singing teacher, as he follows their own passion of making educational, performing opportunities accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Chai Meredith-Hanson
Chai (DipCat) is the Resonant Voice resident cat. While he is only new to the family, he has fitted in purrfectly, enjoying a sleep under the keyboard.
Chai enjoys sleeping in the sun, watching birds out the window and listening to Brent & Freya’s random singing. While Chai has not performed in any productions, you may spot Chai sleeping on the chair in the background of videos.
Chai is a lover of all things musicals, and enjoys sitting in the music studio and listening to all of his mum’s wonderful students. His favourite musical is Cats (but don’t mention the 2019 movie to him)! Chai is the proud mascot for accessible and sustainable vocal tuition for all!