25-Apr-2023. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Gabriel, when asked about Maples accusation, said in a written statement that he had been drinking heavily that night to control fears about serious health problems in his family. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. In a written statement, he told the AP and Star, I have been very upfront that when I first started the company at 19, over 20 years ago, there were issues of inappropriateness. He didnt respond to the specific allegations. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Web820K views 4 years ago. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. One dance instructor said she warns the children and teens she brings to conventions today to be watchful and aware of the potential for abuse of power. All of these sources spoke on the condition of anonymity in fear of retaliation and damage to their careers in the tight-knit professional dance community. Dancers Whisper. An ongoing investigation by the Star in partnership with the AP now has uncovered alleged sexual misconduct that stretches back to the dance companys early years, and involves Stroming himself. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Mark Meismer (@markmeismer) Instagram photos and Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. As a student I was in inappropriate relationships with teachers, and vice versa, and just looking back I was like, oh wow, I think a lot of us dont even realize at first the power that we have in the dance world.. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. Dancers call out culture of silence and mistrust - PressReader His mental health deteriorated. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. Stroming was allegedly involved in a series of inappropriate relationships with students of the dance program he was running, according to more than a dozen former staff and students. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. Kim Nguyen The new owner, Russell Geyser, said the allegations have nothing to do with the current company, and that people involved with purported misconduct no longer work for Break The Floor. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. Carrie Fisher to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: 'Long Overdue,' Says Mark Hamill. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. Back in March Elliana Walmsley, won first place with her solo "Existence pt2," choreographed by Mark Meismer at the prestigious ballet competition Youth American Grand prix (YAGP). Gil Stromings company capitalized on all of that studio growth, an industry that reached about $4 billion in value by 2021, employing more than 120,000 people, according to market research from analysts at IbisWorld. Jeremy Hudson, now a professional dancer, came of age on the convention circuit and won Outstanding Dancer of the Year at the first JUMP Nationals in 2004. An ongoing investigation by the Star in partnership with the AP now has uncovered alleged sexual misconduct that stretches back to the dance companys early years, and involves Stroming himself. 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. It banned inviting students to hotel rooms and said instructors shouldnt call students their daughter or son. And it encourages discretion online regarding Religion, Social Justice, Discrimination, Politics, Love and Romance, Abuse, Mental Health, Bullying, and Terrorism., The new code of conduct also says educators are considered mandated reporters regarding suspected child abuse: If you witness anything concerning, it is your duty to report it to the appropriate authorities.. Mark has choreographed for the TV shows: Scrubs, Dancing with the Stars, and The George Lopez Show. In a written statement, he told the AP and Star, I have been very upfront that when I first started the company at 19, over 20 years ago, there were issues of inappropriateness. He didnt respond to the specific allegations. AP journalists in more than 100 countries tell the worlds stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting to visual storytelling. Mark has had a very diverse career in concert dance and commercial dance and was the artistic director of his own contemporary/commercial dance company called "Evolution". The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. After Maples showed the screenshots to friends who shared them on social media, Gabriel sent her a message threatening to ruin her career, she said. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. The combination of hyper-sexual dance content and the close contact between adult teachers and the young dancers creates an atmosphere ripe for abuse, said Jamal Story, a professional dancer who is co-chair of the National Dance Committee for The Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 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. In the opening segment of the April 17 episode, the camera panned to the audience where Mark and Kelly's daughter Lola Consuelos, 21, was sitting in the front row. But in January, as the AP and the Star were investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against him and others involved in the company, Stroming announced that he had sold Break the Floor and stepped down as CEO. One dancer said she met Stroming when she was a 16-year-old high school junior attending one of Break the Floors first events with her parents. He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break the Floor events. 2018 Winter Intensive at The Brea Space with Beautiful Mark Meismer's Choreography. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. He is no longer with the company, according to Break the Floor. The company was launched 22 years ago by a charismatic dancer, Gil Stroming, who came to fame in the 1990s, performing in the off-Broadway show Tap Dogs, described in The New York Times as a beefcake tap-a-thon.. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. Hudson is now a famous dancer, with a resume that spans mega tours with Pink, Lady Gaga and Kylie Minogue, and appearances in more than a dozen films including La La Land and FAME. For 17 years, he kept to himself about what happened with Meismer. While not all of the complainants in this story were involved with Break the Floor at the time of the alleged incidents, the instructors and executives accused of wrongdoing have played key roles in growing the companys revenue and popularity. I took the word of this choreographer and thought he was helping me build a dance career. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Schaufeld had fallen in love with tap at 7 years old, and assisting Wallace offered a chance to raise his profile and learn from one of the best. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. Gabriel, when asked about Maples accusation, said in a written statement that he had been drinking heavily that night to control fears about serious health problems in his family. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. North Hollywood-based dance company bred culture of Gabriel, another famous dancer and choreographer, 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. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence - The Stroming declined repeated interview requests. Liza Smith And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. They typically end with parents on the sidelines shooting photos of their beaming children in leotards and makeup, striking poses alongside famous choreographers and dancers. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who wasnt with Break the Floor at the time, but would go on to run one of its subsidiary conventions. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. Gil Stromings company capitalized on all of that studio growth, an industry that reached about $4 billion in value by 2021, employing more than 120,000 people, according to market research from analysts at IbisWorld. While not all of the complainants in this story were involved with Break the Floor at the time of the alleged incidents, the instructors and executives accused of wrongdoing have played key roles in growing the companys revenue and popularity. Carrie Fisher Getting Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame This Star Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. Of these sources, four say he sometimes brought young Break the Floor participants to parties or company events, where they were introduced as his girlfriend. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted. (AP Photo/John Minchillo), Gary Schaufeld holds his old tap shoes as he stands for a portrait at his home, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Port Jefferson, N.Y. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio.