"We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. They provide amazing opportunities. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. His representatives at MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Attendees squeeze into small ballrooms where choreographers teach classes. This was in 2008, when Wall was at the height of his fame, having become a staple on television after placing second on So You Think You Can Dance. Wall has denied these allegations. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. 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. Click this link right now: https://advocatechannel.com, 26 Things Gay Sex Workers Want You to Know, 36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party, 11 Homoerotic Ads, Covers From 20th Century Gay Artist J.C. 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The Star's investigation found that eight former staff and students at Break the Floor alleged that company staff "initiated sexual conversations, propositioned them for sex, sent them nude photos, sexually harassed them at work or engaged in sexual relationships with them.". I dont think I was aware of how manipulated I was and how easy it was for (Lazzarini) to take advantage of the situation, Lindsey said. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. Includes allegations against Break the Floor founder Gil Stroming (referenced in 1 episode by Abby), as well as choreographers Mark Meismer (had Elliana as a regular assistant over the pandemic, taught the older girls choreography at ALDC LA) and Travis Wall (danced with Maddie on SYTYCD . Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. Dancers accuse some of Break the Floor's famous choreographers of sexual harassment and grooming. Inside a Manhattan hotel, one of those choreographers Clarke idolized was now propositioning her for sex, she alleges. That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work with students in other settings. Im not trying to bring this company down. One, who says he was groped, said Stroming told him that wasnt actually sexual harassment because the young dancer had recoiled before Lazzarini allegedly almost touched his genitals. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. Due to the investigation, the dance company said it will be looking into the accusations. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. In summer 2018, about two years after Ellis approached Stroming about Lazzarinis conduct, 17-year-old Zeke Lindsey met Lazzarini and began taking his classes. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Wall, an Emmy-award winner, was also removed from a BTF tour following the Stars earlier reporting. Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. Susan Kao illustration with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, John Lamparski/Getty Images, Broderick Baumann and ngel Vasquez, VIDEO OF BTF EVENT, OCT. 14, 2018: NICO LONETREE/@NICOGOOFS. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. 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.. Since the accusations have come to light, Break the Floor has removed Travis Wall as a staff member for the time being. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. ", The day before, the company posted another statement on its Instagram account. Teens who win titles at BTF events are invited back to work on the convention circuit as dance assistants for choreographers on the BTF roster, known internally as faculty.. Alumni and faculty have danced onstage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. : A Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour at Break the Floor, a prominent company that tours Canada, the United States, and Mexico. 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. Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! 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. With stronger policies, he and his executive team would secure the sprawling organization that hosts as many as 300,000 aspiring dancers each year. Photos: Break the Floor, Joe Corrigan/Getty Images, Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Beau Campbell, Miss Toto Rodgers, KiLeigh Williams, ngel Vasquez, Lee Gumbs, Broderick Baumann. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. Clarke was competing that July 2012 day at a New York City event put on by Break the Floor, a prominent company that tours Canada, the United States and Mexico hosting dance schools and putting on performances led by elite dancers and choreographers known from Broadway, film and television. 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. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. He won the best dancer title in 2014 and worked for BTF for two years as a dance assistant, travelling across Canada and the United States. Travis Wall Scandal After Being Suspended From Break The Floor On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Through a publicist, Wall told the Star that the accusations against him were false. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. A few months later, without warning, Lavallee said, Wall cut off communication with him in the middle of one weekend and didnt show up to one of their scheduled teaching sessions. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full out devastating attacks. Two dancers said they complained about sexual harassment on the job to Stroming directly. In addition to competitions with cash prizes, Break The Floor conventions which cost between around $200 to $350 per student offer dozens of workshops, under strobing lights and thumping . Break the Floor, which tap dancer Gil Stroming founded, provides master classes for younger dancers. As a result of the story, Break the Floor is bringing in a third party to launch an investigation into the accusation made against So You Think You Can Dance alum Wall. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Break the Floor is investigating an allegation of sexually inappropriate behaviour raised in a Toronto Star investigation. Lazzarini would laugh and smile and would play it lighthearted so as to not take on the full responsibility of what he was doing, said Ellis. 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. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him. 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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.
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