OUR SINGERS
Chris Blackshaw
Chris Blackshaw
Chris Blackshaw
Chris has been a singer and actor for many years, a pianist from the age of 4 and is an Associate of the Royal Schools of Music. He is also a teacher of piano and singing.
Chris began his career performing on stage with Bakewell Youth Theatre, with whom he is now Musical Director. Chris started performing professionally with the musical th
Chris has been a singer and actor for many years, a pianist from the age of 4 and is an Associate of the Royal Schools of Music. He is also a teacher of piano and singing.
Chris began his career performing on stage with Bakewell Youth Theatre, with whom he is now Musical Director. Chris started performing professionally with the musical theatre touring company ABD Productions and is now part of acclaimed director, Paul Kerryson’s, productions at the Buxton Opera House.
Chris especially enjoys acting for television and film and has appeared in a variety of productions for screen ranging from TV adverts to web series’ and also larger productions for ITV and BBC. However, Chris’ main passion is for the singing group, Peak Voices, which he co-founded in 2018 and for which he is managing director.
Chris’ credits include: David Copperfield (Pomegranate Theatre Chesterfield), The Pied Piper (Brindley Theatre Runcorn), ‘Mr Morgans’ in the award winning musical Her Benny (New Brighton Floral Pavilion), ‘Young Scrooge’ in A Christmas Carol (Preston Charter Theatre) and Jane Eyre (Billingham Forum Theatre), Tom Collins in Rent (Buxton Opera House), Mr Sowerberry in Oliver! (Buxton Opera House), Big Deal in West Side Story (Buxton Opera House) and Mr Tooley in Made in Dagenham (Pomegranate Theatre).
Gemma Flitter
Chris Blackshaw
Chris Blackshaw
Gemma grew up in Matlock, Derbyshire and studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia (UEA). She achieved her Grade 6 Singing Examination and spent the majority of her school and university career heavily involved with amateur dramatics.
She performed in numerous concerts and shows, both at school and as a 17-year member of
Gemma grew up in Matlock, Derbyshire and studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia (UEA). She achieved her Grade 6 Singing Examination and spent the majority of her school and university career heavily involved with amateur dramatics.
She performed in numerous concerts and shows, both at school and as a 17-year member of Bakewell Youth Theatre, later returning to assist as Stage Manager and other backstage roles. At UEA Gemma acted as President of the Drama Society and took part in many productions with that group, as performer, Stage Manager and Producer.
Her favourite roles include appearing as a member of the ensemble in Sweeney Todd, Svetlana in Chess, and Anita in West Side Story.
Gemma also appeared in series 1 of Starlings (Sky 1, 2012).
Gemma has recently achieved her PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status and currently teaches secondary level English and Drama. She lives in Chesterfieldwith her husband Matt.
Andrew Edwards
Chris Blackshaw
Andrew Edwards
Andrew grew up in Poole, Dorset and trained at Laine Theatre Arts. His theatre credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (UK Tour), Fame! (International Tour), The Producers! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane and UK Tour), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre London and Theatre Des Westerns Berlin), ‘Winkie General’ in The Wizard of Oz (The Lon
Andrew grew up in Poole, Dorset and trained at Laine Theatre Arts. His theatre credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (UK Tour), Fame! (International Tour), The Producers! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane and UK Tour), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre London and Theatre Des Westerns Berlin), ‘Winkie General’ in The Wizard of Oz (The London Palladium), ‘Jimmy’ in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (four Christmas seasons in various UK Venues). ‘Jack Frost’ in Santa Claus the Musical (WorthingPavilion).
Andrew performed on the maiden voyage of the Cunard liner Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner in the world at the time.
His television credits include the feature film Confetti (BBC Films), Johnny and Denise Passport to Paradise (ITV), Top of the Pops (BBC), The London Olympic Games handover ceremony which had a worldwide audience of 250 million people (Buckingham Palace). The Opening Gala of the Wales Millennium Centre; one of several times he has performed for the Royal family; including three Royal Variety Performances (BBC & ITV). He has also appeared in several music videos and has performed as a backing dancer for Liberty X, Will Young, Gareth Gates and the Cheeky Girls to name but a few!
Andrew is a Co-Founder of the largest independent theatre podcast in the world, Musical Talk, which has been running for 12 years and has over 500 episodes. He is also the resident choreographer for Bakewell Youth Theatre which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Andrew recently appeared as Captain Hook in what was his eighth professional pantomime.
Andrew now teaches all aspects of performing arts and lives in Bakewell, Derbyshire with his partner Caroline and their dog Jester.
Liz McKenzie
Rachel Callen
Liz McKenzie
Born in Cheshire, Liz has been singing and acting since she was a child. Starting at the acclaimed Stretford Children’s Theatre under the tutelage of Bert Holland she then went to the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama before returning to work the club circuit in and around Manchester whilst also doing voice overs and extra work for G
Born in Cheshire, Liz has been singing and acting since she was a child. Starting at the acclaimed Stretford Children’s Theatre under the tutelage of Bert Holland she then went to the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama before returning to work the club circuit in and around Manchester whilst also doing voice overs and extra work for Granada TV. Her career took her all over the country and into Europe before she settled down to raise a family and teach in Derbyshire.
Since giving up her professional career, Liz has appeared in numerous amateur productions and has also directed plays for the High Tor Players.
She says that singing with Peak Voices has taken her back to her roots - a delightful ‘full circle’.
Nic Wilson
Rachel Callen
Liz McKenzie
Nic is a theatrical all-rounder who over a period of 35 years has taken part in all aspects of performance as Actor, Singer, Stage Manager, Lighting Technician & Artistic Director for a variety of amateur and school groups in the South of England & East Midlands in over 100 productions ranging from stage plays (including particular favou
Nic is a theatrical all-rounder who over a period of 35 years has taken part in all aspects of performance as Actor, Singer, Stage Manager, Lighting Technician & Artistic Director for a variety of amateur and school groups in the South of England & East Midlands in over 100 productions ranging from stage plays (including particular favourites "Outside Edge", "The Rivals" & "A Midsummer Night's Dream") through the works of Gilbert & Sullivan to Musical Theatre ("The Beggar's Opera", "Guys & Dolls", "Fiddler on the Roof").
In addition, since taking early "retirement", Nic has worked, as Vice-Chair of the Medway Community Centre in Bakewell, to getting youth groups involved in use of the centre's facilities.
Rachel Callen
Rachel Callen
Rachel Callen
Singing and dancing all her life, Rachel’s first taste of musical theatre on a grander scale was appearing in the chorus of My Fair Lady at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre in her tweens. She’s a classically trained singer and was involved in various musicals and choral productions at school and college, narrowly missing out on appearing in t
Singing and dancing all her life, Rachel’s first taste of musical theatre on a grander scale was appearing in the chorus of My Fair Lady at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre in her tweens. She’s a classically trained singer and was involved in various musicals and choral productions at school and college, narrowly missing out on appearing in the children’s chorus in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in the West End – after getting through the audition, it was decided she was too tall to play a child! Luckily the long legs came in useful later on when she was competing as the A-team Waltz couple for Cardiff University’s dance sport team. More recently she’s played Ado Annie in Oklahoma! and Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes with the Wivenhoe Musical Theatre Society, choreographed dances and fight scenes for various shows (at one point, from a wheelchair, with a broken leg!), and appeared as the jilted bride Angelina in Matlock Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of Trial by Jury. She funds her costume budget by working as a magazine journalist in the daytime, and joined Peak Voices earlier this year.
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Sue Morgan
Sue has been performing since the age of 4 in singing, dance and acting.
She trained vocally at the Birmingham Conservatoire, and has continuously performed in the West Midlands, Nottingham and Derbyshire both chorally and as a soloist including opera and operetta.
She was part of the CBSO chorus for many years during the time of Sir Simon
Sue has been performing since the age of 4 in singing, dance and acting.
She trained vocally at the Birmingham Conservatoire, and has continuously performed in the West Midlands, Nottingham and Derbyshire both chorally and as a soloist including opera and operetta.
She was part of the CBSO chorus for many years during the time of Sir Simon Rattle, which she found both demanding and inspiring. She has trained subsequently with the late Pam Cook and more recently with Lynne Wayman.
Her recent performances have included solo recitals in Nottingham, Derby, Chesterfield, Buxton and Normandy in France. She is enjoying her latest foray into the world of musical theatre.
our accompanists
Wendy Byrne
Wendy grew up in a musical family and began piano lessons at the age of 5. As well as playing solo piano throughout her childhood and teenage years, she soon found herself accompanying her mother’s singing and playing the organ for school assemblies
After marrying and having children, Wendy took up the piano more seriously and gained her
Wendy grew up in a musical family and began piano lessons at the age of 5. As well as playing solo piano throughout her childhood and teenage years, she soon found herself accompanying her mother’s singing and playing the organ for school assemblies
After marrying and having children, Wendy took up the piano more seriously and gained her teaching diploma with the Royal College of Music. She taught piano for a number of years and worked with the Schools Music Service in Leicestershire to provide piano accompaniment for children taking Associated Board and Guildhall School of Music exams. She also accompanied the Lutterworth Choral Society for several years.
Wendy enjoys working with both children and adults. Before moving to Buxton in 2016 she accompanied students at music schools in France and Oxfordshire.