About Us
Nicole Halton
Conductor
With over a decade of experience leading choirs, Nicole brings energy, warmth, and a deep musical understanding to every rehearsal and performance. Originally trained as a violinist, she later expanded her musical journey to include piano and singing, discovering her passion for vocal music through roles in local musical theatre productions such as Les Misérables and Beauty and the Beast. Nicole has led a wide range of choirs over the years, from adult community ensembles to children’s choirs, always with a focus on building confidence, connection, and musical excellence. She has completed training with the Association of British Choral Directors and Sing for Pleasure, further developing her skills in choral leadership and vocal technique. Outside of conducting, Nicole is a dedicated music educator and currently serves as Head of Music at a primary school. She also teaches piano and singing privately. In her spare time, she sings with the Hallé Ancoats Community Choir and has had the privilege of performing with the Hallé Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall. Nicole has been running Peak Choir since 2021.
Ed Simpson
Accompanist
Ed is from Derbyshire and spent ten years studying at Chetham’s School of Music. During this time, he was a chorister at Manchester Cathedral for five years, where he had the opportunity to perform for BBC’s Songs of Praise, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee service, and regular BBC Radio 3 broadcasts. His time with the cathedral choir also included a memorable tour to Paris, with performances at iconic venues such as Notre Dame and Saint-Sulpice. At the age of 13, Ed chose to specialise in the bassoon as his principal study, later adding the organ and contrabassoon to his musical repertoire. Alongside his classical training, Ed developed a strong interest in jazz, which led him to study jazz piano during his final two years at Chetham’s.
Today, Ed runs a thriving piano tuition business, working with students of all ages and abilities. He has a particular passion for nurturing musical confidence and creativity. He served as an accompanist for the Kinder Children’s Choirs for over 5 years before joining Nicole in founding their first choir in 2018.