WIDEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
BAND STAFF
Nick Loafman
Mr. Loafman is the primary teacher for Wind Symphony and Jazz Bands, and co-teaches Concert Band and Symphonic Band. He is head director of the Gladiator Marching Band.
Nick Loafman joined the WHS family in the fall of 2020. He grew up in Oak Park, Illinois just outside of Chicago. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in music education from the University of Illinois, where he got to perform with the renowned Marching Illini at the Rose Bowl and in Dublin, Ireland. Nick has 14 years of high school teaching experience, and lives close to Widefield with his wife Teresa, a trained opera singer and web developer. He remains actively playing trumpet, currently performing with the Pikes Peak Philharmonic and the Little London Winds. When not teaching or playing, Nick likes to ski, make BBQ, play golf, and follow his favorite sports teams.
Rose Henning
Ms. Verlinde was born and raised in Rochester, Michigan where she started band in 6th grade on the oboe. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2015 earning a bachelors degree in music education with a minor in secondary math education. While there, she performed all over the country with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Orchestra, and as a Drum Major of the Pride of the Peninsula. Rose taught general music and band in Las Cruces, New Mexico for 6 years and joined WSD3 in 2021! She currently lives in Monument with her fiance, Dan and 4 cats, Mr. Feeny, Poco, Sombra, and Bruni. On the holidays, Ms. V loves traveling, camping, and skiing with her family!
Jonathan Faires
A native of Charlotte, NC, Jonathan Faires began teaching band in the Widefield School District in 2005. While in District #3, Mr. Faires has taught at Widefield H.S., Widefield Elementary, Watson Jr. High, Janitell Jr. High, and has assisted with both Mesa Ridge H.S. and Widefield H.S. Marching Bands. He is currently the Director of Bands at Sproul Jr. High. Mr. Faires graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1998 with a BM in Music Education.
Heather Laswell
Ms. Heather Laswell has been a Colorado Springs resident for 21 years after making her way from Southern California via Wyoming where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Wyoming in 2000. With over 20 years of coaching experience including Laramie High School, Rampart High School and Sand Creek High School, she now shares her talent and expertise in the colorguard world with Widefield High School and has since 2017. Outside of colorguard, you will find her supporting her three kids Alanna (WHS Class of 2027), Brayden and Braydon (both WHS Class of 2023) on the football field, wrestling mat, baseball field, track or barrel racing arena just to name a few. She also volunteers for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo on a yearly basis. You will also find her at various country concerts around town with her other half Brett, a 1991 WHS graduate.
Priscilla Bessick
Ms. Priscilla Bessick was born in Colorado Springs, CO and graduated from Widefield High School in 2008. After high school, she attended Colorado State University-Pueblo where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education as well as participated in multiple wind ensembles, with clarinet being her primary instrument. After graduating, Ms. Bessick taught elementary music in Canon City, CO for 4 years before she returned to Colorado Springs to continue teaching music at Widefield Elementary School of the Arts. During this time, Ms. Bessick also completed a Master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Kieran Doolittle
Kieran Doolittle is a Colorado native and began her music
endeavors at Widefield Elementary with Johnathan Faries in fourth grade,
continuing through District #3 until graduating from Widefield High School in
2021. Ms. Doolittle is currently a student at Colorado State University Pueblo,
studying for a Music Education degree with a percussion emphasis. At CSUP, she
is involved with their Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and is Vice
President of the CSUP chapter of NAfME. She has been helping with the Widefield
Music program since she graduated from Widefield and is mainly involved with
the Gladiator Marching Band and the Gladiator Winter Warriors percussion group.
Ms. Doolittle also has two dogs at home, Thea and Cosmo, a golden retriever and
yorkipoo, and enjoys crafting!