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

Lily Robson - Interim Mezzo Soprano

Lily is a mezzo-soprano based in London. She recently completed a year as a VOCES8 Scholar, performing internationally with the Scholars Ensemble and working on the Foundation’s education team and choir. In 2024–25 she was a member of the Genesis Sixteen programme, and now performs regularly in London with St Martin’s Voices, Corvus Consort, and the Echo vocal ensemble.

Her love of ensemble singing began in the church, where she developed a lasting enthusiasm for sacred music. This led to a Master’s degree at the University of York, specialising in research into contemporary cathedral music-making. During her time with VOCES8, she also discovered a passion for jazz and pop arrangements, which she enjoys alongside early and classical repertoire, and she finds the opportunity to weave these styles together in a single concert programme especially exciting.

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.