We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary.. While some of what is being said about me is inaccurate or mischaracterized, there is enough truth in their stories to make me feel ashamed and remorseful. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. He had been heading it uninterrupted for 22 years, presiding over its consistent growth, when a 2021 Star investigation revealed allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by Break the Floor coaches over their younger students. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County District Attorney with perpetrating lewd acts on minors in a private dance studio, and is awaiting trial. The next summer, Ellis said he approached Stroming at the Dance Awards, the biggest BTF event of the season, to tell him how Lazzarini had harassed him. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"In a series of text messages between Schaufeld and Wallace, reviewed by the Star/AP, Schaufeld laid out his accusations and Wallace said that although he couldnt remember anything, he couldnt be more sorry. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Im not a monster but I feel like one, Wallace wrote, adding that he has a lot of hazy memories and a huge list of regrets/mistakes from that time period. Lazzarini has denied subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. Emmy Award winner Travis Wall taken off tour with Break the Floor dance "In. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. But for many years the secret ate away at him. Wallace was already a star in the dance world and would later go on to be hired by Gil Stroming to direct Break The Floors 24 Seven. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Judge Dismisses Jury in Trump Rape Trial for the Day Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. Tennessee Rep. Scotty Campbell resigns after harassment violation Travis Wall Scandal After Being Suspended From Break The Floor And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. Break The Floor hosts conventions in cities across North America, putting on events in hotel ballrooms every weekend over the course of a six-month season. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . Eventually, Lazzarini began to avoid her at dance conventions, Clarke said, and this made her anxious, as she feared he was in a position to impede her career. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual harassment that some readers could find distressing. Accept. Accusation was leveled against SYTYCD alum in Toronto Star report about widespread sexual harassment at the dance company, (Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that Wall was not cut from Break the Floors tours, but suspended pending investigation.). Lonetree said he was soon after moved to a different convention, which he said made him feel like he had to start over and establish himself with a new team. About two decades ago, when she was a 20-year-old dance teacher accompanying her students to a Break the Floor event, she said she refused Gil Stromings $500 offer to join him in his hotel room. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as young as 5, to packed hotel ballrooms across the U.S. and Canada for weekend workshops and competitions. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. By the mid-2000s, dance exploded into the mainstream with the debuts of popular television shows So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. They brought fame to dancers Nick Lazzarini, the first-ever winner of Americas Favorite Dancer in 2005, Travis Wall and Misha Gabriel, who would all later become big-name attractions as Break The Floor instructors. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video that appears to show himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As lawmakers filed into the House chamber after a lunch break on Thursday, the desk of former state Rep. Scotty Campbell sat empty, the characteristic lawmaker name plate . Stroming did not respond to questions about this incident. Thank you. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full out devastating attacks. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. He vowed to make Break the Floor a safe space for the next generation of dancers the same goal, he said, that he had when he launched the dance company more than 20 years ago as a charismatic 19-year-old. He was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. Hundreds of studios and schools from smaller communities bring teams of dancers to the events, branded by Stroming as JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven, RADIX and DancerPalooza. In an interview with the Star/AP, Wallace denied Schaufelds allegations and said nothing physical ever transpired between them, though he said he remembered having an inappropriate attraction to Schaufeld. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. "We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary. Wallace was already a star in the dance world and would later go on to be hired by Gil Stroming to direct Break The Floors 24 Seven. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"captionPosition":"overlay","origImageSize":"960x1200","fullWindowGenericImage":false,"lastmodified":1650411169104,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Gary Schaufeld was a teenager in 2004 when he alleges a dance instructor pushed him up against a wall in an Ottawa, Ont., hotel room and forced oral sex on him. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. Break the Floor has a fervent following. On Oct. 1, BTF kicked off its fall season with an event in Toronto at an airport hotel. Misha Gabriel allegedly sent a nude photo on Snapchat to a 16-year-old dancer who says she was so horrified she threw her phone across the room. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Instructors accused of predatory behaviour had been fired, Stroming assured. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. SYTYCD alumni / choreographers face allegations of sexual harassment And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Schaufeld had fallen in love with tap at seven years old, and this opportunity offered a chance to raise his profile and learn from one of the best. Watch popular content from the following creators: (@americanpiefan), Rachel Daly(@rachelkdaly), (@americanpiefan), Break The Floor(@breakthefloor), Rachel Daly(@rachelkdaly) . A Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by BTF coaches over their younger students, where dancers say their complaints of inappropriate conduct have been dismissed by the companys owner, letting the problem fester for years. https://t.co/213nsiNJ73 Morgan Bocknek (@mobocks) October 21, 2021 To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. I have dedicated my life to creating happiness and joy in this world through dance and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have caused anyone to feel sad or hurt. But he said he felt uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, then in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. To order copies of Wall's publicist maintains that the accusations are entirely false. Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Marci A. Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who founded CHILD USA and is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect its Children, said dance is one of the last forums where adults have unsupervised access to younger students. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use. Both said Stroming dismissed their concerns. In light of this, over the last 18 months, we have made substantial strides to ensure BTR is a better and safer environment for everyone. HE WAS INVITING HER TO HIS HOTEL ROOM. Parents sue Tomball dance studio - Chron Gabriel, when asked about Mapless accusation, said in a written statement that he had been drinking heavily that night to control fears about serious health problems in his family. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. But as his company grew, the alleged sexual misconduct continued. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. Wall has previously said "accusations against me are false." 11 74 101 Show this thread Morgan Bocknek @mobocks Oct 22, 2021 You can read the full investigation here: thestar.com In addition to competitions with cash prizes, Break The Floors conventions which cost between $200 to $350 USD per student offer dozens of workshops, under strobing lights and thumping music. Hudson said he was optimistic: This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. They provide amazing opportunities. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star When Ellis explained that he recoiled before Lazzarini actually touched his genitals, he alleges Stroming declared it wasnt actually sexual harassment because he didnt actually touch me.. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"captionPosition":"overlay","origImageSize":"1200x800","fullWindowGenericImage":false,"lastmodified":1650401372730,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Gary Schaufeld fell in love with tap dancing at seven years old. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence - The Mercury News Dance organizations create wide opportunities for adults to single out a child, groom them and then get them alone to sexually abuse them, she said. All The Star/AP spoke to the dancers father, who said that in the years following, she told him about what happened with Stroming. Representatives for Wall and Break the Floor did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment Saturday. The parents Cecilia Sheeren, Toni Carr, Vicki Oglesby, Jerry Walker and Jarneia Beacham accused studio manager Debra Green of misusing the funds they paid to send their daughters to the JUMP. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Lazzarini denied subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances, adding that he would not respond to each and every claim in your forthcoming article that is false, taken out of context or completely exaggerated.. . After all, Meismer was already an icon. 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Leyendecker, 21 Trans Icons You Should Know on Transgender Day of Visibility, 12 Photos Celebrating the Earth and the Male Form by Steven Menendez, Gay Model and Social Media Influencer Jeff Thomas Dead at 35, 30 LGBTQ+ Religious Saints Throughout History, Trans Flight Attendant Kayleigh Scott Has Died, Right-Wing Drag Queen Lady MAGA USA Now a 'Costume Artist', Montana Governor Signs Gender-Affirming Care Ban Despite Nonbinary Son's Pleas, Easterseals Highlights Alarming Accessibility Gaps for Disabled Americans, Hannah Gadsby's New Netflix Show Is 'Something Special', Bernie Wagenblast, the Voice of New York City Subways, Comes Out as Transgender, Montana Governor's Nonbinary Son Lobbies Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills, Tennessees Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Challenged by Department of Justice, 12 Lesbians Who've Made U.S. Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming The company also published a new code of conduct. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, AFI Honors Rust Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins With Scholarship Fund for Women Filmmakers, 13 New Fall TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers, From Grand Crew to CSI: Vegas (Photos). At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust., In a later response, after being presented with an additional accusation that he sent nude photos to a teenage dancer, Lazzarini added: I have never subjected anyone to unwanted sexual advances. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. 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Dancers say they were sexually harassed or groomed by famous choreographers and the dance company failed to protect them, Choreographer Nick Lazzarini pulled from dance company tour following Star investigation, The CEO of Break the Floor where famous dance coaches were accused of sexual misconduct says he is selling the company, This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. Break the Floor (who is bringing in a third party to launch an investigation into the accusation lobbied against Wall) said in a story on the company's Instagram page on Friday "Travis will not be traveling with BTF until we've had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations," going on to say "We take this very seriously and Hundreds of studios and schools from. Hicks said he sought therapy and a sexual treatment course in an effort to hold myself accountable and also deal with the feelings of feeling like I had wronged him in that way when that was never my intention. Mega Dance Company Bred Culture of Sex, Silence, Dancers Say - US News Break The Floor hosts conventions in cities across North America, putting on events in hotel ballrooms every weekend over the course of a six-month season. NSFW Travis Wall Allegations For those who don't know, the competitive dance world is exploding with allegations of s*xual grooming and overall predatory behavior at Break the Floor dance conventions. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. This comes after the Toronto Star published a recent news story accusing him of s*xually questionable behavior. Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. Attendees squeeze into small ballrooms where choreographers teach classes. She says she didnt attend any auditions and returned home devastated. Ellis recalled that on the last night of the dance season in May 2017, when Ellis was 21, Lazzarini kissed him while they were out at a club with other staff members. As for the other allegation from the then-16-year old, Gabriel denied sending the photo, saying he would never engage in inappropriate behaviour that would ever lead to sending something like this to a teenager. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who did not respond. Donald Padgett October 25 2021. New students poured into dance studios, along with a growing number of health and fitness aficionados. I believe that we are doing more than most organizations to combat this head on, he said. The Star reviewed the text messages. According to the Star, Wall told the outlet through his publicist that the accusations against me are false, in response to the Stars initial story, but did not comment on being cut from Break the Floors tour as a result of the accusation. Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. The AP and Star have not seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say Discover breakthefloor allegations 's popular videos | TikTok Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. After receiving questions regarding the allegations, Lazzarini sent text messages to three of the dancers who spoke to the Star, saying to one, I will do my best to be a better person and apologizing to another, Im so so sorry I ever made you feel uncomfortable.. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. It has been humbling. Break the Floor is investigating an allegation of sexually inappropriate behaviour raised in a Toronto Star investigation. Break the Floor would not confirm if he was one of the four that were let go in the days after Stroming sold the company. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. One of those students, Myles Lavallee, accused Wall of beginning to groom him when Lavallee was 16 and Wall was around 20. Dancer Nico Lonetree, of Saint Paul, Minn., alleges he was propositioned for oral sex by BTF employee Vincent Hicks via texts while they both worked at the RADIX BTF dance convention on Feb. 11, 2017, in Houston, Texas. By clicking accept, you agree to this use. At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely . So did his brother Jeff the companys chief production officer and mother Jackie, known within the company as the Chief Mom Officer.. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Many students endured inappropriate sexual advances or comments from their instructors, Uchida said. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. confront my own shortcomings, I vow to take every step necessary to turn them into the very strengths I will use to help empower and protect others.