Meet APOLLO5

Amy Blythe - (Interim Soprano)

Amy enjoys a busy career as both an ensemble and solo singer performing with many ensembles and conductors in the UK.

Amy graduated with a BMus degree in 2012 from Cardiff University and was awarded the Geriant Evans Vocal Prize for outstanding final recital. In the academic year 2012-13 Amy was a member of the Genesis Sixteen, a fully-funded training scheme for young singers led by Harry Christophers and the Sixteen and since completing this scheme has embarked on exctiting projects with English National Opera, Bristol Proms and Sounds Sublime Festival aswell as co-founding a young consort group The Verismo Consort.

Currently based in London, Amy sings regularly with Tenebrae, Polyphony and London Voices. In addition to concerts, tours and session work she sings in many London churches including All. Saint's Margaret Street and St. Paul's Cathedral.  As well as performing as a soloist with the Cardiff Bach Choir, Canton Choral Society and the John S Davies Singers, she has also appeared as a soloist with Eboracum Baroque, Siglo de Oro, the Mousai Singers and St.Martin's Voices.

Amy also performs regularly with the Erebus Ensemble directed by Tom Williams, who were recently awarded second place at the London International Acapella Choir Competition and were artist-in-residence at the 2014 Bristol Proms. Highlights with the Erebus Ensemble include a semi-staged performance of Handel's Messiah (2013) and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (2014).

Recent solo performances include Durufle Pie Jesu, Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor,  Haydn Heiligmesse and Missa Sancti Nicolai, Pergolesi Stabat Mater and Vivaldi Gloria.

Meet APOLLO5

Penelope Appleyard - Soprano

Penny has been in APOLLO5 since 2016, enjoying the opportunity to combine her passion for early music with her love of pop and other lighter styles. Most importantly, however, she is in charge of the group’s Secret Santa, and enjoys collecting Christmas baubles when away on tour – not as easy as it sounds in certain locations! Additionally as the group’s only non-coffee drinker, she is on a mission to find a decent cup of tea in every destination. Penny graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire specialising in early music, and was awarded honorary membership in 2019. She enjoys a busy international freelance career as a soloist and ensemble singer, and teaches flute and singing in between. She lives with her family in the countryside and when not working can be found sketching, gardening and playing table tennis!

Meet APOLLO5

Thomas Mottershead - Tenor

Originally from Colchester, Thomas brings a wealth of experience, having sung with a variety of ensembles and choirs including the Llandaff and Gloucester Cathedral Choirs, as well as the BBC National Chorus of Wales. You may also recognise him from his 2022 appearance on The Voice UK, where he performed as part of a classical/musical theatre crossover duo, wowed the coaches with four chair turns and joined Team Sir Tom Jones!

Beyond his singing, Thomas is an accomplished conductor. He currently serves as Music Director for The Malmesbury Singers, The Athenaeum Singers (Warminster) and Cheltenham Choral Society. He is also Artistic Director of the Prometheus Consort.

Here are a few words from Thomas: “I am thrilled to be joining APOLLO5 as their newest member during their 15th anniversary year. APOLLO5 has always performed with such exceptional musicianship and to be a part of such a creative and inspiring group is a real privilege. I can’t wait to begin!”

Thomas officially joins APOLLO5 at the start of July, with his debut performance at Milton Abbey in Dorset on 30th July. We’ll then be heading out on our European tour in August and beyond. We can’t wait for you to meet — and hear — him!

Meet APOLLO5

Joseph Taylor - Tenor

Joseph is the newest member of APOLLO5 joining the team in August 2024. Coming from Bradford, West Yorkshire, Joe graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music before reluctantly moving down south where he embraced a vibrant career as an ensemble singer. As well as his singing work in the UK and Europe, Joe is passionate about outreach and bringing music to new audiences, especially in the north of England.

When he's not singing, you'll find Joe indulging in his love for craft beer, sampling local treats wherever he travels, cycling through scenic routes, or catching the latest films at the cinema.

Although Joe was classically trained, his passion for jazz and pop music makes singing with APOLLO5 a dream come true.

Meet APOLLO5

Augustus Perkins Ray – Bass

Gus made his debut with APOLLO5 in July 2022 – although, in a typically contemporary twist of fate, he actually found himself onstage with the group in May, singing various soprano and tenor parts (transposed!) after Penny tested positive for you-know-what. Since completing his studies at St John’s College, Cambridge, and London’s Guildhall School, Gus has been singing in London, across the UK and around Europe as a soloist and ensemble musician.

Outside the concert hall, Gus enjoys experimenting in the kitchen (with varying degrees of success), is an avid reader and loves exploring the weird and wonderful world of arthouse cinema. He also produces his own music and is a fan of all forms of electronic sound.