Meet our Band
Brenda Totzke
Band Manager/Librarian, Alto and Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet
Brenda is originally from Three Oaks, MI. She started playing clarinet in 5th grade, and took up saxophone to play with Blue Shoes in 2015. She and her husband, Jack, are die-hard Green Bay Packer fans, and enjoy supporting live music in the area. Brenda also plays in the Southshore Concert Band, Casco Band, and Memphis Underground. What she likes most about Blue Shoes is the wide variety of music they play, and how much fun they have together. When she's not playing music, Brenda is a pet stylist.
Jack Totzke
Drums
Jack is a Michigan native, who started playing drums in 5th grade. He and his wife, Brenda, are die-hard Green Bay Packer fans, and enjoy supporting live music in the area. Jack also plays in Dr. Rob and the Revivers Band, Memphis Underground, and Southshore Concert Band. What Jack enjoys most about Blue Shoes is the sheer power of the Big Band sound, and the good people he gets to play with. When he's not playing music, Jack is a Tool and Die Maker, and he enjoys working on John Deere Two-Cylinder Tractors.
Gordon Burch
Trumpet, Guitar
Gordon is a New York native who has lived in Ohio and now lives in Michigan. He started playing instruments in 5th grade. He also plays in the Southshore Concert Band. What Gordon likes most about Blue Shoes is the eclectic mix of music, the comradery of the band members, and "I get to play guitar!" When he's not playing music, Gordon is a technician with an Aerospace Company in LaPorte.
Nate Cook
Band Director, Trumpet
Brandon Dinges
Bass Guitar
Brandon has always lived in Baroda, MI. He started playing Bass in 6th grade, because "everyone needs a bass player." He also plays in The Vickie Page Band, High Vizz, Dr. Rob and the Revivers, and Generation Gap. What Brandon likes most about Blue Shoes is the challenge of playing with good musicians, and the variety of the songs they play. Brandon enjoys gardening and working on automobiles, being with his family, and going to open mics where he tries to sit it with as many people as he can. When he's not playing music, Brandon is a mechanic and Autotech at a garage in Baroda.
Tammy Finch
Tenor Saxophone
Tammy has lived her entire life in the Berrien County area of Michigan. She started playing flute in the 4th grade, added alto sax in 6th grade, and tenor sax in college. She also plays in the Southshore Concert Band. What she enjoys most about Blue Shoes is the opportunity to play with fun, talented musicians, and the wide variety of music they play. Tammy is a dedicated "4-season" daily walker, and enjoys golf and gardening. Tammy is retired, after a 35 year career in teaching and coaching.
Rob Funk
Bari Saxophone
Kim McCavit
Keyboard
Kim is from Elkhart, IN, and now lives in St. Joseph, MI. He started playing piano when he was in elementary school. He also plays in the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band. What he enjoys about Blue Shoes Band is the no-pressure environment, with the freedom to Just Play. When he's not playing music, Kim enjoys Science and Technology, and Engineering.
Rob Riley
Trombone, Vocals
Rob was born in Wisconsin, lived in California for high school and college, and now lives in Indiana. He started playing trombone at age 12. He is currently the Principal Trombonist in the LaPorte Symphony Orchestra, and he used to play with Dr. Groovy and the Soul Surgeons. What he enjoys most about Blue Shoes are the nice people and the good music they play. Rob enjoys hiking, traveling, playing other instruments, and music recording. Rob is a retired Family Physician.
Dave Radajik
Tenor Saxophone
Dave is originally from LaPorte, IN, and now lives in Stevensville. He started playing sax and clarinet at age 9. He currently plays in LaPorte City Band, St. Joseph Municipal Band, LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, Andrews University Symphony, First Church of God (St. Joseph, MI) Praise Band and Orchestra. He likes playing with Blue Shoes because it is a musical family, and the songs they play are popular and diverse. Dave enjoys his Bible Study groups, and reading about famous personalities in world history and home landscaping.
Michael Vanden Tak
Trombone, Vocals
Ross Woodhams
Percussion
Ross was born and raised in Vicksburg, MI, and currently lives in South Haven, MI. He started playing violin in 5th grade, but switched to the drums in 6th grade. He also plays in Southshore Concert Band, and the Casco Band. What he enjoys most about Blue Shoes are the people; plus, as an auxilliary percussion player, he gets to "make noise with a bunch of different things." Ross enjoys teaching percussion to middle or high school students, piloting, and having fun with his wife and kids. When Ross is not playing music, he is part owner of a Ford Lincoln store in South Haven.
Kate Hendrix
Euphonium, Vocals
Kate is originally from St. Joseph, MI, and now lives nearby in Stevensville, MI. She started playing in 7th grade. She also plays in the Southshore Concert Band, and Lakeside Family Church Worship Team. What Kate likes most about Blue Shoes is the challenging music, and the opportunity to meet other area musicians. Kate enjoys working with plants, cooking, and spending time outside. When she's not playing music, she works at Whirlpool, and at the Crystal Springs Garden Center.
A lengthy career in radio broadcasting and voiceover took Michael as far away as California and Texas but he made his way back to his home town of South Haven, MI in 2008. Everywhere he lived there was local music and he loved being in the middle of its creation, with good people. Semi-retired, Michael has been with Blue Shoes several years as a vocalist and trombonist, and also writes and plays guitar. He also stays busy with Southshore Concert Band, Casco Community Band, solo performances, and weekly volunteering for singalongs and worship.
Ben Schadler
Alto Sax
Ben is from St. Joseph, MI. He started playing sax in 2015. He currently plays in South Shore Concert Band, as well as Blue Shoes. What he most likes about Blue Shoes is that it's lots of fun! Ben also enjoys cars, and different kinds of music. His day job is in mechanics.
Jay Hendrix
Sound Engineer
Jay was orignally from St. Joseph, MI, but currently lives in Stevensville with his lovely wife, Kate. This is Jay's second year helping out with sound for Blue Shoes. What he most likes about working with Blue Shoes is the friendship, the variety of music, and all the different venues where they play. Jay also likes reading, going to school, and DIY projects. He works at Whirlpool Corporate.
Lee Riley
Sound Assistant, Vocals, Website
Lee is from the East Coast, then the West Coast, and has lived in the Midwest since shortly after she married her amazing husband, Rob Riley, when they were in college at UC Berkeley. She has sung barbershop with the Sweet Adelines for 36 years, and loves her chorus, Great Lake Sound, in Valparaiso. She and Rob recently started a rock band, Dr. Rob and the Revivers, and she loves singing with them! She enjoys hanging with the Blue Shoes band because everyone is so nice and helpful, and they always have a good time!
