Rev, Robert VerEecke, S.J., (Founder, Artistic Director, and President of the Board of Directors), began his formal dance training at Santa Clara University in 1971 with Diana Morgan Welch.  He continued his dance studies in New York and in Boston with Margot Parsons.  Presently he is Pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill, MA and Jesuit Artist-in-Residence at Boston College.  Rev. VerEecke is the author of Dance in Christian Worship and Ritual Plays:  Engaging the Community in God’s Word.  He lectures and conducts workshops internationally on dance and sacred movement.

Jamie Huggins, (Associate Artistic Director, Board of Director member, performer), received his formal training in dance at the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC.  He has performed with Lub Ash Dance Theater in NYC, the Louisville Ballet in Kentucky, The Berkshire Ballet in MA, and in Boston, with Boston Dance Collective, Impulse Dance Company, Ballet Theater of Boston, the Roxy Dancers, and with numerous local choreographers.  This is his 21st season performing with BLDE and in A Dancer’s Christmas.  Jamie and his wife Nicole are the creators and owners of DANCE PAWS.  Information on the new dance shoe for barefoot dancers can be found in the Links on this web site.

Carol Coggio Faherty, (co-founder, Managing Director, member of the Board of Directors, performer), received her B.A. and M.Ed. from Boston College where, as a student she directed the Modern Dance Company of Boston College.  She has been dancing with Fr. VerEecke since 1976 and serving as company manager since the inception of the company in 1980.  In 1982, Fr. Bob married Carol and Brian Faherty, who at the time was a member of the cast of A Dancer’s Christmas; their daughter Anna Teresa, and son Patrick, were the first two babies to appear in “The Town of Miracles” starting in 1983.  Brian continues to participate in the show as the videographer and Anna Teresa assists with costumes.  Carol performs with BLDE throughout the year performing in workshops and events such as the World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002.  Along with her work as an orientation and mobility instructor for the blind and visually impaired, Carol studies ballet with Margot Parsons and Pilates with Patrishya Fitzgerald.

Wendy Lawson, (Director of the Children's Company, member of Board of Directors, performer), has performed with numerous local companies in Boston and with the BLDE since 1985, touring locally and nationally in workshops and in For the Greater Glory of God., a dramatic dance presentation of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercise.  Her husband, Chuck, has made cameo appearances in A Dancer’s Christmas, and their three children, Jessica, Kristen and Olivia have danced in the production since they were infants.  Originally from Hawaii, Wendy received her degree in dance from Sarah Lawrence College.

28 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 • 617-552-6130 • blde@bc.edu