She's With Us ⋆ Band

Raised in her mother’s melodies, Toft’s love for song took root at an early age. She traveled from coast to coast in search of how to use her skills effectively, finally planting herself not far from home. The vocalist has learned how to lean into her God-given gifts and now relishes writing and making music for others to enjoy. She is a daycare provider, a business partner, the wife of the mayor, most importantly a mother to four beautiful children, and the upbeat “She” in She’s With Us.

Dane Zittritsch

Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals

Growing up in northwest Iowa, Zittritsch was raised with music in his veins, watching family members perform and play since birth. At a time in his life where everything was broken, including his hip, Zittritsch’s father taught him how to play guitar while recovering from surgery. He hasn’t stopped picking since, having played all over northwest Iowa with amazing people that have become lifelong friends. That journey has now landed him and his guitar in She’s With Us.

Whitney Thiessen

Bass/Backing Vocals

As soon as Thiessen learned to speak, he started singing. Unsurprisingly that led him to being active in chorus, band, and musicals throughout his high school and collegiate career. In search of an escape from playing the tuba in pep band, he picked up a bass and hasn’t put it down since, choosing instead to lay down bass lines for She’s With Us.

Jennifer Johnson

Pianist

Jennifer grew up East of Estherville on beautiful Swan Lake. Her grandpa bought the family a piano when she was 4 and she was given the choice by her mom to “either practice piano or put the dishes away.” She chose practicing. She became her small country church organist at the age of 15, studied piano throughout college, and studied with Ian Shapinsky from New York City for 2 years. She bought her first Nord in 2012 after realizing carrying a 300lb Clavinova up onto a stage is quite ridiculous and now she and her red keyboard perform as much as they can to help pay for the red keyboard. She loves making people smile through performing and she loves her band mates. They make playing fun! Willing to learn any instrument for the right price. Member of the all-caps International Keytar Consortium and card-carrying member of the American Guild of Organists.

Nate Shaughnessy

Drums/Backing Vocals

Starting out on the piano at the age of 7, Shaughnessy turned his attention to drums by middle school, begging his parents for an entire year for his first five-piece kit. He went on to cut his teeth in church of all places, eventually being a fill-in drummer for a couple of bands on occasion before taking a seat behind She’s With Us.