Boosters Board
LHS Band Boosters Executive Boards
Gregg Johnson
President
Hello Band Family! Musical notes, percussion beats, and flag sounds whipping through the air – it is time for another great Loveland High School band year. Whether you are a returning veteran family or new to our program – I am excited for what we will build together for students and the program.
My wife Patricia and I are proud band parents of Morris – a senior playing the sweet sounds of a mellophone/French Horn, and Annie – a freshman laying down deep tuba tracks. Our journey to this point includes a 27-year career in the United States Air Force flying the C-17 and living in every United States time zone – to include Alaska and Hawaii – and several deployments along the way. When we arrived in Fort Collins for my last assignment commanding the Air Force ROTC program at Colorado State University, the Loveland High School band program provided a great community and stability for us. I retired in September 2024 and now work as a contractor providing air mobility expertise to Air Mobility Command and greater global mobility team. When I push work to the side, you may find me on the Poudre river casting a line for trout, attempting to hit a ball with a Titleist brand stamp, flying a drone trying to capture Colorado landscape, or down at Loveland’s Josh and John’s Ice Cream shop with the family (I am partial to salted peanut butter cup scoops).
Leading with an incredible band booster executive board team is a humbling opportunity allowing me to give back to a band program that has provided the Johnson family so much. I look forward to connecting with you, the students, and band directors – ultimately serving to help achieve our program’s short-term and long-term goals! Let’s go!
Alyssa Gibbons
Secretary
In my day job, I’m a faculty member at CSU, teaching statistics and research methods in the Psychology department. My kiddos are Ollie (junior, tuba section leader) and Lauren (freshman, guard), and my husband is Jake (often found on prop crew). We’ve been part of the Crimson Regiment since 2023, and it’s been a huge gift to our family. I’ve contributed to food crew and chaperoning winter guard, and now I’m serving as secretary.
I love being able to be involved in something that means so much to my kids, without feeling like I’m hovering or cramping their style. 🙂 All of us have made good friends and great memories with the LHS bands; there is really room for everyone in the band family. Whatever you can bring to the table is valuable and appreciated!
Stephanie Butts
Treasurer
My name is Stephanie Butts, Treasurer for the Loveland High School Band Boosters. I have been a member of the LHSBB family for over 8 years. Starting when my now graduated son, Rylan, joined his 8 th grade year. My youngest son, Kellen, is currently a member and plays trombone. Being a part of the band family has been a fantastic experience not only for my sons but for my husband and I as well. When we joined, we had no idea what we were signing up for but helping and getting to know the other parents is an absolute blast and we’ve made so many lifelong friends along the way.
My background is in accounting so being Treasurer is a natural fit for me but not something I can do by myself. As such, we have two talented helpers on our team, Shawna Shearer and Terri Johnson. We’ve found that by spreading the load each task becomes lighter. We are always looking for help so if you have a few hours a month available, please reach out!
Adam Levy
VP of Operations
My journey with the Loveland High School Marching Band began in 2022, when my oldest daughter, an 8th-grade flute player, joined after her music teacher suggested the early start program. My introduction to the Crimson Crew happened when I responded to a Band App post needing help hauling a trailer to Loveland Sports Park. I quickly became hooked by the dedication of the parent volunteers I met there. After two dedicated years of proudly helping with the operational setup,building, loading, unloading and hauling for every rehearsal and competition, I became the VP of Operations in 2024. Even my youngest, now an 8th grader herself, has been an active part of the Prop Crew since the 5th grade.
Drawing on 16 years of experience owning an automotive repair shop, I now lead our incredible parent volunteers who form our Pit and Prop Crews. Together, we operate behind the scenes, designing, building, and transporting all the props, instruments and equipment for every rehearsal and competition. It is incredibly rewarding to contribute to the band experience, all while giving our kids space to shine and watching them grow from a front-row seat.
Ingar Lammers
VP of Fundraising
Sarah Winter
VP of Communications
Erin Horner
VP of Guard Operations
Janis Gregoire
Food Crew Chair
Email:
While I am an engineer by trade, my real joy comes from volunteering and serving others. I’ve been leading the LHS Band Booster “food crew” since May 2021 when I agreed to organize the food crew “just for rookie camp” since we were slim on food crew members after covid times. Five years later I’m still doing it. People often assume I love to cook, but honestly, I just love spreadsheets and organization!
I am mom to a junior trumpet player, Katherine, who started her Crimson Regiment career as an early-start 8th grader. My other daughter Emma was a part of the Crimson Regiment her entire high school career and played both the clarinet and the bass clarinet before heading off to CU where she was part of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band.
Leading the food crew takes some time and dedication, but I either love it or I’m crazy, probably both. Getting to know all the students each year is the most rewarding part! I’ve lost track of the number of kids who call me Mom now, but my soul is filled by all their smiles, gratitude, and full bellies. Honestly, the community of band families also holds a special place in my heart. We work hard, but we laugh, joke, and support each other through it all. My personal goal is to always make sure everyone feels welcomed, included, and valued in our time together feeding the best kids in the world.
LHS BANDS DIRECTORS
Kyle Freesen
Director of Bands
Kyle Freesen currently serves as the Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at Loveland High School in Loveland, Colorado where he teaches the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble I, Chamber Music, and the Crimson Regiment Marching Band. Mr. Freesen holds degrees from Wright State University (Master of Music, Wind Conducting) and Western Illinois University (Bachelor of Music, Music Education).
His large ensembles have performed 11 times at the Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA) State Concert Band Festival and 2 times at the Dallas Wind Band Invitational, and 3 times as a CMEA Honor Performing Ensemble. The Crimson Regiment has earned 4 Bands of America (BOA) Regional Class Champion titles, 11 CBA State Championship Medals, and 3 CBA State 4A Titles during his time at Loveland High School.
Prior to Loveland, Mr. Freesen was the Director of Athletic Bands and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Wright State University, was on staff for the Centerville HS Jazz Band, and directed band programs in the Schuyler-Industry and El Paso-Gridley School districts in Illinois.
Freesen is an active music educator who has presented at multiple state conferences. He has been a guest speaker in many music education courses and for CNAFME chapters in Colorado. Freesen has been a member of the National Association for Music Education, Golden Key, Phi Kappa Phi, the American School Band Directors Association, and the Colorado Bandmasters Association. He lives in Loveland with his wife and son.
Michael Williams
Director of Percussion / Assistant Director of Bands / Battery Arranger
Michael Williams is a percussionist, performer, and educator located in Northern Colorado. With a wide variety of performance and teaching experience over the last decade, Michael is dedicated to his pursuit of growing percussion education within his communities.
In 2015, Michael graduated from Colorado State University with a B.A. in Music Education. From percussion ensembles and jazz band to solo repertoire and steel pan, Michael has developed an array of performance experience under the instruction of Dr. Eric Hollenbeck and Shilo Stroman.
Michael has become a prominent music educator in the state of Colorado. He is in his 11th year of teaching with Loveland High School, currently as the Director of Percussion/Assistant Band Director.
Additionally, he has worked at Thompson Valley High School, Fossil Ridge, Windsor, and Dakota Ridge High School with their percussion sections. Michael is the Battery Caption Head for the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble and the Battalion Drum Corps
Katelyn Kellogg
Director of Guards
LHS BANDS ADJUNCT STAFF
Connor Marsh
Winds Caption Assistant and Drum Major Specialist
Francisco Borja-Prieto
Woodwind Caption Manager
Cora Gilreath
Visual Caption Head
Email: coragilreath@gmail.com
Dr. Megan Bellamy-Lanz
Flute Instructor
Copper Ferreira
Clarinet Instructor
Clarinetist Copper Ferreira has enjoyed a professional career that has taken her across North America and overseas. She completed her undergraduate degree at Brevard College (N.C.), under the tutelage of David Kirby where she attended the prestigious Brevard Music Center in 2002. In 2005, Copper completed a Master’s in Clarinet Performance at Arizona State University under Dr. Bob Spring, after which she made her international debut at the Xi an International Clarinet and Saxophone festival in Xi an, China. She also finished a Master’s in Music Theory at the University of Western Ontario, where she began her research into the influence of music theory on performance.
While in Canada, Copper served as principal clarinet with the Stratford Civic Orchestra, the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra in their production of Anne and as second and bass clarinetist with Symphony New Brunswick, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the Prince Edward Island Symphony. She also held a teaching position at Mount Allison University, teaching music theory and studio clarinet. After relocating to Colorado in 2011, she performed with the Colorado Ballet, playing second and bass clarinet. Copper is currently on faculty at Colorado State University, teaching music theory and performing regularly as a freelance musician in and around the Northern Colo. area.Miyazawa Performing Artist Megan Bellamy-Lanz performs regularly as a solo artist and chamber musician. As a pedagogue, she finds great joy and fulfillment in helping students make the connection between the musical and physical components of playing an instrument. Her holistic performance and pedagogical approaches encompass all physical, mental, and emotional components of being a human musician. She is a Senior Instructor at Colorado State University and has earned the following degrees: Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) – Performance, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Master of Music (M.M.) – Performance, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Bachelor of Music (B.M.) – Performance, University of North Texas
Michele Massey
Woodwind Instructor
Andra Nelson
Oboe Instructor
Kyle Sneden
Bassoon Instructor
Ben Shafer
Horn Instructor
Clint Baker
Horn Instructor
Ian Sawyer
Trumpet Instructor
Ian Sawyer is a professional trumpet player and educator residing in Loveland, Colorado. Ian serves as Second Trumpet with the Cheyenne Symphony and enjoys an active freelance schedule, performing everything from orchestral works to musical theater. He has also played with the Fort Collins Symphony and The Villages Philharmonic and has shared the stage with Arturo Sandoval, Dave Grusin, Chris Potter, Rachel Barton Pine, Ricardo Morales and more. Ian maintains a private studio and has had students perform in the Colorado All-State Band, NoCo Honor Band, CU Honor Band as well as gain entry into music degree programs across the state.
Ian holds degrees in Trumpet Performance from the University of Northern Colorado (BM, 2015) and the University of Miami (MM, 2018), and is currently pursuing his DA in Trumpet Performance from the University of Northern Colorado.
John Pirillo
Trumpet Instructor
John Pirillo, a native of Lakeland, Florida, he holds his Bachelor’s in Music Performance from Florida Southern College and will graduate with a Masters in Music Performance from Colorado State University come May 2023.
As an avid enthusiast of all music genres, John has performed in solo, chamber, orchestral, jazz, theatre, and even polka settings. He currently performs in several of Colorado State University’s top ensembles, substitutes with the Fort Collins Symphony and Longmont Symphony Orchestra, and anywhere else he can press three buttons to bring music and good times to the Front Range community. Having served as graduate teaching assistant at CSU, John is looking to continue his teaching career and moving towards forming a private studio in the area with students of all ages and playing abilities!
Dr. Kiel Lauer
Low Brass Instructor
Kiel B. Lauer Candidate (ABD) for Doctorate of Musical Arts, Trombone Performance and Pedagogy University of Colorado Boulder Master of Music, Trombone Performance Michigan State University Bachelor of Music, Trombone Performance University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Kiel is an active trombonist (tenor, bass, and alto) and instructor throughout the region. He is currently a member of San Juan Symphony Orchestra, Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Steamboat Orchestra, Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, and William and the Romantics Big Band. He also substitutes with Cheyenne Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, and Colorado Springs Philharmonic. As a teacher, Kiel teaches private lessons and coaches sectionals. These schools include Loveland High School, Fossil Ridge High School, Cherry Creek Academy, Skyline High School, and Westminster High School.
Zack Hall
Percussion Instructor
Aubrey Knowlton
Front Ensemble Instructor
Richie Dow
Thomas Landawee
LHS BANDS DESIGN TEAM
Kyle Freesen
Director of Bands
Kyle Freesen currently serves as the Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at Loveland High School in Loveland, Colorado where he teaches the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble I, Chamber Music, and the Crimson Regiment Marching Band. Mr. Freesen holds degrees from Wright State University (Master of Music, Wind Conducting) and Western Illinois University (Bachelor of Music, Music Education).
His large ensembles have performed 11 times at the Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA) State Concert Band Festival and 2 times at the Dallas Wind Band Invitational, and 3 times as a CMEA Honor Performing Ensemble. The Crimson Regiment has earned 4 Bands of America (BOA) Regional Class Champion titles, 11 CBA State Championship Medals, and 3 CBA State 4A Titles during his time at Loveland High School.
Prior to Loveland, Mr. Freesen was the Director of Athletic Bands and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Wright State University, was on staff for the Centerville HS Jazz Band, and directed band programs in the Schuyler-Industry and El Paso-Gridley School districts in Illinois.
Freesen is an active music educator who has presented at multiple state conferences. He has been a guest speaker in many music education courses and for CNAFME chapters in Colorado. Freesen has been a member of the National Association for Music Education, Golden Key, Phi Kappa Phi, the American School Band Directors Association, and the Colorado Bandmasters Association. He lives in Loveland with his wife and son.
Michael Williams
Director of Percussion / Assistant Director of Bands / Battery Arranger
Michael Williams is a percussionist, performer, and educator located in Northern Colorado. With a wide variety of performance and teaching experience over the last decade, Michael is dedicated to his pursuit of growing percussion education within his communities.
In 2015, Michael graduated from Colorado State University with a B.A. in Music Education. From percussion ensembles and jazz band to solo repertoire and steel pan, Michael has developed an array of performance experience under the instruction of Dr. Eric Hollenbeck and Shilo Stroman.
Michael has become a prominent music educator in the state of Colorado. He is in his 11th year of teaching with Loveland High School, currently as the Director of Percussion/Assistant Band Director.
Additionally, he has worked at Thompson Valley High School, Fossil Ridge, Windsor, and Dakota Ridge High School with their percussion sections. Michael is the Battery Caption Head for the Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble and the Battalion Drum Corps
Craig Fitzpatrick
Winds Arranger
Craig Fitzpatrick holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he studied composition with Stephen Heinemann. He obtained his Masters in Music Composition in 2003 from the University of Illinois in Champaign. While there, he studied composition under Stephen Taylor and Rick Taube and also served as a teaching assistant, instructing undergraduate theory and ear-training courses. Since then Craig has had the opportunity to work closely with Jack Stamp, David Maslanka, and David Holsinger.
In 2001, Craig won the Creative Division of the Bradley University Research and Creative Achievement Exhibition with Subliminal Designs, a composition designed using music notation through alternative visual representations. Craig was also a finalist in the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards in 2001 and 2003. In 2005, he was chosen as a participant in the National Band Association’s Young Composer Mentor Project sponsored Bands of America. Craig was also a finalist in the 2nd International Frank Ticheli Composition Contest with his work “Re-Connected” for wind ensemble. In 2014, Craig’s commission “A Light Still Remains” was a finalist in the National Band Association’s Merrill Jones Composition Contest for Concert Band. His work “Moon Shadows” was also a finalist 2018. Craig has been commissioned to write concert band literature for Jr. High, High Schools, honor bands. and community wind ensembles. His compositions for band, orchestra, choir, soloists, and small ensembles have been performed across the country. Craig is also a published composer with Alfred, TRN, and FJH Music Publishers.
Since 2001, Craig has arranged music and written drill for competitive high school marching bands across the country. His clients are regular State Class Champions, Band of America (BOA) Super Regional Finalists, BOA Grand National Semi-Finalists, and BOA Super Regional Class Champions. Additionally, Craig has served as a marching band adjudicator throughout the Midwest. Craig marched with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps baritone line in 1998 and worked with the Cavaliers brass staff in 2001. He has taught competitive marching brass and arranged for Morton High School, who have been named the 2005 through 2017 class 2A Illinois State Champions. Craig also maintains an extensive private brass studio, teaching trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba lessons to students of all ages. His students regularly attend the IMEA district and state festivals in the orchestral, jazz, and band divisions. During the 2005-06 school year, Craig served as assistant director of bands at Washington Community High School. During this time, the Washington High School Symphonic winds were selected to compete at the 2006 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival for the first time.
Craig studied trombone with Hugo Magliocco at Bradley University and Elliot Chasanov at the University of Illinois. He currently performs with the Prairie Wind Ensemble, and resides in Morton, Illinois with his wife, Katrina.
Ryan Springler
Coordinator and Visual Designer
Julian Davidson
Front Ensemble Arranger and Sound Designer
LHS Band Boosters Executive Boards
Ingar Lammers
VP of Fundraising
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Sarah Winter
VP of Communications
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Erin Horner
VP of Guard Operations
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