The Apex Singers

Lydia is a UK based light soprano with a special interest in ensemble singing. Since graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music with a First Class BMus Hons degree in Vocal and Opera studies in 2019, she has formed relationships with Voces8 and the Sixteen by taking part in their young artist programmes. In addition to her freelance work Lydia is also a Choral Scholar at HeartEdge Manchester (the Northern branch of St. Martin in the Fields) and was one of the eight young artists invited to be part of the Southwell Music Festival in 2022. Lydia enjoys leading musical workshops and has recently joined the Voces8 Foundation's team of educators with whom she has delivered outreach projects for young people in both the UK and France. Having grown up abroad she is confident working in French and is The Apex Singers’ coach for Scandinavian languages. Lydia feels privileged to be a member of The Apex Singers, taking particular interest in the study of folk music in its social and cultural contexts. To be surrounded by such passionate people and music is incredibly uplifting. The music of 'Hiraeth' will always hold a special place in her heart as a reminder of the ensemble's beginnings.

Sophie is a Manchester and London based vocalist who studied music at the University of Manchester. Sophie is currently working as a musician contractor and music coordinator with Hilary Skewes and Co. She is also a freelance singer, flautist and nursery assistant. Sophie has been part of many choirs, including the University of Manchester Cosmo Singers and Ad Solem. She has performed in ensembles ranging from large opera casts to smaller 4-part ensembles, singing and playing a mix of classical, renaissance and folk music. Out of this has grown a love for singing in small, close harmony ensembles, and The Apex Singers has fuelled this love. Sophie's favourite music to listen to and play is folk music. The Apex Singers' debut album 'Hiraeth' was a fantastic way to learn and enjoy new exciting folk music. Sophie is passionate about creating, sharing and making music accessible to everyone.

Katie, a recent music graduate from The University of Manchester, is a Manchester-based singer performing with a variety of music groups. She is a Primary School Teaching Assistant by day, and a musician from tea-time til late! Recent classical performances have included singing Elgar’s Sea Pictures with the University of Manchester’s Symphony Orchestra, playing the role of the eponymous heroine in a world stage production of Judith Weir’s Armida as well as playing the role of the Book of Fate in Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig, singing in the chorus of Haydn’s creation at the 2019 Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, and performing as the mezzo soloist in John Casken’s Memorial at the University Chorus’ December concert in 2018 which was later recorded. Katie was both a member and manager of the auditioned University chamber choir Ad Solem and also sang with the University Chorus throughout her undergraduate degree. While she is classically trained, Katie also has a passion for jazz and folk and is a vocalist in a range of groups including an 8-piece new-jazz ensemble called Laga Runa, as well as an indie-folk trio called the Deep Blue with fellow Apex member Niamh.

Toluwani is a Mezzo - Soprano from Dundee and a recent music graduate of the University of Manchester. She was a Diocese of Manchester Choral Scholar for the past two years under Andrew Earis, musical director of Londons St Martin in the Fields and is currently alto Lay Clerke at Blackburn Cathedral. She was a member of the thirteenth cohort of Genesis Sixteen which was an incredibly experience working under Harry Christophers and Eamonn Dougan. She has sung for groups such as the BBC daily service Singers and under amazing composers such as Karl Jenkins. She is a founding member of the Mancunium Consort, a growing early vocal ensemble based in Manchester. Toluwani is currently a bridging the Gap Artist for the Dunedin consort and is looking forward to tour with them in the new year.

Matthew Burns is a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, having studied a Masters in Music Performance under Paul Nilon. During his undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen, Matthew was a Chapel Choir Scholar and this is what sparked his love for singing in small ensembles. Matthew has sung in many choral settings but primarily in chamber choirs. He is currently a member of Canzonetta Chamber Choir and The Hallé Choir. Matthew enjoys small ensemble singing most of all and especially a cappella music as it is so intimate and expressive. In addition to singing in choirs, Matthew has been a soloist in many major choral works and performed in multiple operas, most recently in the chorus of Opera North’s production of Silent Night by Kevin Puts.

George's love of vocal music originated from their time in the Hallé Children's Choir, performing from the age of 9 on stages such as the Bridgewater Hall. After this, George sang with other renowned ensembles, including the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and the BBC Proms Youth Chorus. They made their way through the Hallé family of choirs, even helping out with administrative work, eventually becoming a bass in the critically acclaimed Hallé Choir. They have performed a variety of repertoire including Elgar's 'The Dream of Gerontius’, and as a child in Mahler's 8th symphony, however it has often been the smaller more personal pieces that have resonated with them.

Elliot is a Manchester-based low bass who graduated from The University of Manchester with a BSc in Physics with Theoretical Physics. He is currently undergoing training for work as a sound engineer for live and studio work, whilst working as a freelance singer and layclerk at St Chad’s The Oratory. Elliot developed his vocal talent through community choral singing throughout Greater Manchester, providing a wealth of experience in performing music of different genres. During his time at university, Elliot sang with the Hallé Choir and further developed his craft before joining The Apex Singers back in 2018. He’s performed on various tours as a vocalist, travelling to Malta, Prague, Bratislava, and Madrid; and has received the opportunity to perform at The Proms, the Manchester International Festival and to record alongside the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Elliot has a passion for listening to and performing a wide variety of music styles; from jazz, to indie folk, to musical theatre, and even to renaissance polyphony. Through singing with The Apex Singers, he has found real enjoyment in the medium of a capella, and, with his more technical brain, Elliot particularly enjoys the live production aspect of The Apex Singers and is excited for how their sound world continues to evolve.

Ollie Lambert is a Manchester-based musician creating innovative music for vocal ensembles that pushes the boundaries of conventional consort writing. As the Founder, Arranger and Artistic Director of The Apex Singers Ollie has written, mixed and produced 50+ arrangements including 2 albums, “Hiraeth” (2020) which received 2 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, and “Stravaig” (2022), a collection of pieces written during lockdown. Ollie's arrangements have been performed by internationally-renowned ensembles across the world: The Vancouver Youth Choir in Canada, Exaudi Youth Choir in Australia, Mannskoret Arme Riddere in Norway and Ardú in Ireland to name a few.