Vandenhole — a familiar name in the North Kitsap music world.

When I went to interview Robby Vandenhole, FAB’s featured artist in the June Spotlight, I knew I would recognize him. Robby, a junior, was nominated for this column by Kingston High School music teacher and choir director Casey Whitson.

Robby said, “Music is in my blood.”

Robby spent the first five minutes of his interview telling me of his musical roots — his folks met at a choir; his dad was the music teacher at Gordon for 13 years and choir director at a local church; and his older brother, Sonny, taught him to play the ukulele.

“The ukulele is one of my stronger passions,” Robby said. “I am following in Sonny’s footsteps.”

Robby, well concealed as the village mayor in the recent KHS musical “Wizard of Oz,” was easily recognizable in the KHS Talent Show when he sang “Never Stop” by Safety Suit, accompanied by his father. He belts out tunes in the a capella sextet, the KHS Sirens, and in the choir. One of a limited number of male voices, he wants to “get some more men signed up for choir.”

“Since I was a little kid, I have always sung in a choir,” he said. “I’m now a baritone … I was sort of nervous as a sophomore singing in the KHS choir because I had never sung with singers my own age.” But with his experience, he has emerged as the leader of the guys.

Hansville has been Robby’s home since he was one month old.

“I love the Northwest,” he said. “It is beautiful around here — the people, the great summers, and it is musical too. It is amazing here — no place like it!”

He added, “My focus is on myself right now but I keep up with what is going on here and in the world. Music and all the arts bring people, whole communities, together like in support of [the] Boston marathon victims. It is healthy for us. The arts solve problems, can turn things around. There are beautiful messages in songs.”

A songwriter, Robby has written songs such as “Love’s Journey” and “Realize.” He sings with his ukulele to express himself. “There is lots to think about,” he said.

Robby is thinking about a major in social work. as he enjoys conversing with people. “And I’ll be conducting,” he said.

See Robby the actor in action in “Arsenic and Old Lace” June 7-9 in the KHS Commons. As he follows in the Vandenhole musical footsteps, he is sure his younger sister Rebekah, now at Wolfle, will follow in his.

— Contact Marilyn Bode at Lidenbode@aol.com.