Staff
Ken Forsman
Allegan
Ken has been a part of Michigan Singers since the beginning, including in 1978 when it was the Sonshine Singers. He recently became the Director of Michigan Singers in order to continue the legacy and ministry his father started. Ken enjoys playing many instruments and leading the band as well as at his local church. He is married to Tammy, and they have four children and five grandchildren. When Ken is not playing an instrument, you will find him using his talents and training as a family physician in his hometown.
Richard (Dick) Forsman
Grand Junction
Dick is the founder of the Michigan Singers, serving as Director for 39 years. His dedication to the ministry and love for working with youth continues to be foundational to the work we do. Dick is from Grand Junction, MI and is retired from Zondervan Family Bookstores. He has four adult children, seven grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Bear Dendel
Muskegon
Bear is the sound manager and tech advisor. He has been with the choir for over 15 years. He oversees the setup of the equipment and is the driver of the truck and trailer during tours. He is also a member of the Michigan Singers Board of Directors. He is married to Sherrene and has two children. When not with the choir he spends his days helping manage drivers for a service company.
Christine Hunter
Clawson
Christine has been with the choir for 10+ years and started as a choir member. She choreographs, writes the letters that get sent out to the choir, and oversees the website management. Christine is married to Nate, and they have two children. When not with the choir, she stays home with her boys.
Michelle Osborn
Midland
Michelle sang in the choir for 4 years and after taking a short break has joined the choir again as staff. She runs the projection and lyrics during concerts and helps where needed. Michelle is married to Nick, and currently teaching at an elementary school in Midland.
Nick Osborn
Midland
Nick was a choir member who moved to help run the lights during concerts. He also assists with designing and updating the website. He is married to Michelle and works as an engineer at Solutions 4 Automation in Saginaw.
Rod Nelson
Muskegon
Rod has been doing the lights for Singers for over 20 years and is the Treasurer on the Michigan Singers Board of Directors. Rod is married to Pam, and they have two adult daughters and two grandchildren.
Sherrene Dendel
Muskegon
Sherrene has been with Singers for 20+ years. She is the stage manager and helps to run auditions. She is also the Secretary of the Michigan Singers Board of Directors. She is married to Bear and has two children. When not at Singers, Sherrene homeschools her children and teaches a variety of other classes to groups of children.
Sue Simmet
Lansing
Sue is in charge of preparing meals for the choir. She has been with the choir for around 5 years. When not with the choir, Sue is devoted to her family and taking care of those around her. She is married to Wilson and has two adult children..
Tammy Forsman
Allegan
Tammy has been a part of the support staff from the beginning when Michigan Singers first launched. She is also an RN and is very skilled in helping vocal parts with the Singers, and lends her expertise playing her flute while on tour. She also is an active member of the Michigan Singers Board of Directors. Tammy is married to Ken, and they have four children and five grandchildren.
Zach Rietkerk
Scotts
Zach has been with the choir for more than 10 years. He runs the sound for concerts and helps manage the loading crew. Zach works as a mechanic and helps to make sure the vehicles can get choir members and equipment where they need to go.
Band
Kay Dendel
Plainwell
Kay has been a part of the choir for about 9 years with a small break. She plays the piano and clarinet during concerts and helps choir members learn their parts at the beginning of the year. She helps with other small roles and writes our week-long summer tour devotional book. Outside of Singers, Kay is a full-time substitute teacher and a part-time children's pastor at Friendship Wesleyan Church in Plainwell.
Laurie Rietkerk
Scotts
Laurie has been playing the bass for over 30 years and has been playing with the singers for over 20 of those. She is married to Randy and has one child, Zach, who helps run sound for Singers. She works as a Scholarship Coordinator for Western Michigan University.
Titus Schweikert
Swartz Creek
Titus has been a part of Singers for 6 years. He sang in the choir previously but recently transitioned to playing guitar for our concerts. He is a part of the choir at Mott Community College and serves on the worship team at Westside Church in Flushing. Titus is also part of the band No Tomatoes.
Nate Hunter
Clawson
Nate has been a part of singers for 10+ years. He has played the bass, the guitar, and the drums. He is in charge of the loading crew and is self-proclaimed Activities Committee president. Nate is married to Christine and has two children. When he is not at Singers, he is a Systems Engineer for 7thSense Design.