REMEMBERING BRIAN BIGGS
This past week, former YMA Executive Director Brian Biggs passed away at the age of 84. His impact on YMA has been felt for decades beyond his time as Director.
Brian joined the YMA community in 1973 as the Drama Director. In 1985, when YMA founder Sister Ann Miriam retired, Brian took over as Executive Director and Camp Director. Brian significantly expanded YMA programming by adding Choir and Piano to First Session and Photography, Creative Writing, African Dance, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre to Second Session. Brian retired from YMA in 2007 after thirty-four years with the program.
Words from our YMA Community
I had the pleasure of knowing Brian since I was 10 years old. I always appreciated his leadership, humor and dedication to arts education. When he and Vicki transitioned YMA to our new leadership team in 2008, it was clear that YMA was a culmination of his life's work. He loved every aspect of YMA, and I will forever be grateful for him and for his belief that youth should have access to a thriving artistic and musical community.
-Galen Cohen, YMA Camp Director
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Brian often sat in on our creative writing classes, sometimes sharing what he wrote, which thrilled the campers. He was a fine poet. After his time at YMA Brian joined our small writing group in Portland, Pinewood Table, where writers brought in drafts of works in progress to share and critique. Brian was skillful, with that open-hearted focus and presence that was so much a part of his presence at YMA.
He commenced work on a project that had long been dear to his heart: a memoir of his time in the Marines in Hoa My Viet Nam. Week after week Brian for years brought in chapters that dug into the emotional truth of his experiences in Hoa My. Those chapters revealed his love for the people (and the food) and they revealed his sincere belief in his work as Civic Action Officer, building classrooms and teaching English, and making lifelong friends. There were dark parts as well, and he told the whole story with the integrity that we all knew of him, resulting in the extraordinary book, Prove My Soul.
I was honored to introduce Brian at Powell’s when Prove My Soul was published in 2019. Then, as now, it was hard to know what to say about such a remarkable man. The room was full of people from all parts of his life, and, as they stood and clapped for him, he was moved to tears. We all were.
-Joanna Rose, Former YMA Creative Writing Faculty
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Brian will be remembered by generations of campers for his tireless commitment to creating an environment that welcomed and uplifted all. He established the foundation for the long-lasting success of YMA, carrying out his work with a diligent ethic and gentle warmth. Brian left an eternal impression on so many of us and will be missed beyond measure.
-Danielle Morone, YMA Alum & Current YMA Board Member