break the floor accusations break the floor accusations

Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. In the past, Break The Floors policies and procedures did not focus on these issues as closely as they could have. 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. But for many years the secret ate away at him. Accept. ","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. Several individuals have recently stepped forward to publicly express their feelings of hurt or betrayal based on interactions they had with me between 2012 and 2020. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. 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. Isla Clarke was 16 when she alleges she received a nude photo texted by one of North Americas most famous dance choreographers, a man nearly twice her age. According to the Star, Wall told the outlet through his publicist that "the accusations against me are false," in response to the Star's initial story, but did not comment on being cut from Break the Floor's tour as a result of the accusation. BTF TV. After the Stars October 2021 story published, dancers came forward with more than 15 additional accusations, about Stroming and Break The Floor faculty. Alumni and faculty have danced onstage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. I then felt very embarrassed. She says she didnt attend any auditions and returned home devastated. BTF has undergone training and revised its code of conduct, the company said in a statement. It banned inviting students to hotel rooms and said instructors shouldnt call students their daughter or son., The code of conduct also requires educators to report any suspected child abuse: If you witness anything concerning, it is your duty to report it to the appropriate authorities., Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Hours later, Gil Stroming told his staff and customers he had sold the company for an undisclosed amount to Los Angeles real estate investor and producer Russell Geyser and was stepping down as CEO. Hundreds of studios and schools from. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Thats what Gary Schaufeld alleges happened to him. 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.. 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. They provide amazing opportunities. U.S. Crime Twitter Human trafficking A woman tweeted Wednesday in a now viral thread that a man allegedly tried to break into her hotel room in Washington, D.C., at 1 a.m. on October 11. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year old running the whole show. Thank you. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? 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.. His representatives at MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely . A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Home - Break The Floor I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. . 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. Per the Star, Eight former staff and students allege BTF employees, famous in the dance world, initiated sexual conversations, propositioned them for sex, sent them nude photos, sexually harassed them at work or engaged in sexual relationships with them.. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. Dancer Isla Clarke, seen here performing in June 2021, alleges she was propositioned for sex by a choreographer nearly twice her age when she competed at a Break the Floor dance competition at age 16. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Tw, BTF & Jump 2007? : r/dancemoms - Reddit Stroming did not respond to questions about this incident. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break the Floor implemented procedures to protect children, including, among other things, a hotline, background checks for new staffers and a commitment to commission independent probes into allegations. After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. Instagram 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. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. 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. In the text conversation, Hicks told Lonetree, I have a blow job with your name on it. Lonetree brushed off Hickss propositions over text, the texts show. While not all of the complainants in this story were involved with Break the Floor at the time of the alleged incidents, those accused of wrongdoing have played key roles in growing the companys reach and popularity. Thousands of. The response from Trump who. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. Wall did not respond to detailed questions sent by The Star, and said only the accusations against me are false, in a statement through a publicist. - December 15, 2022 Break the Floor company is taking appropriate measures to investigate the allegation of inappropriate behavior made against its Emmy-winning choreographer, Travis Wall. 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. "In the past, Break The Floor's policies and procedures did not focus on these issues as closely as they could have. ","title":"Get more stories like this one in your inbox"},{"text":"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. 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 Thursday's testimony became heated, with Trump's accuser, E. Jean Carroll raising her voice at one point, and the judge scolding a Trump lawyer for asking questions that were "argumentative . ","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. I believe if I had been taken seriously at the time I came forward with my experiences, this could have prevented another person from finding themselves in the same position that I was forced into, Ellis said. "In. 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. Two-time Emmy-winning choreographer and So You Think You Can Dance star Travis Wall has been taken off of the Break the Floor dance company's tours after allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming were leveled at him by a then-underaged dancer with the company. He was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him. 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. I totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. When I began teaching dance, I did so with the singular goal of helping individuals discover, develop, and express their truest selves. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Wallace did not respond to questions about those texts. BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. One dancer alleges he was 16 when Wall gave him ecstasy and methamphetamine, and now believes Wall was grooming him for a sexual relationship. Another told the Star Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. "We are committed to being a serious voice in this conversation and will continue our diligent efforts to positively impact the dance industry," the company added. Lavallee said they exchanged numbers, and over a few texts and calls, he agreed to become Walls dance assistant. 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. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. This investigation, in partnership with the Associated Press, has found the alleged misconduct goes even deeper, and involves some of those responsible for turning Break the Floor into a dance industry empire. 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. Travis will not be traveling with BTF until weve had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations, Break the Floor said in a statement shared in the dance companys Instagram Stories Friday. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. Instructors accused of predatory behaviour had been fired, Stroming assured. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions Wall helped bring the first same-sex pairing to So You Think You Can Dance. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. They provide amazing opportunities. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. 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. 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. The AP and Star have not seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. Carroll came out with her accusations against Trump in a book titled "What Do We Need Men For?" and in an excerpt of the tome published in New York Magazine in 2019. Thousands of hopefuls cram into hotel ballrooms across the continent for the chance to be discovered by a top choreographer and catapulted into the spotlight. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. While for some of the dancers in this story the sexual interactions were, at the time, consensual, they now feel a power imbalance pressured them into relationships with leaders of the dance world who are many years older than them. He said he felt punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. Whenever I worked with a struggling student, I always reassured them that confronting our shortcomings is not a showing of weakness, it is the beginning of strength. As I ","type":"genericimage","credit":"John Minchillo","url":"/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","crop":"0,0,960,1200","renditions":[{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/XpkVdH8hhq08GWvySqgACjErUWQ=/0x0:960x1200/1086x1358/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/YKtR3ajTCoKaUyZg5byVLN2tiuI=/0x0:960x1200/1086x1358/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":1086,"height":1358,"scalefactor":113},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/Fp522CQvcGywmcruYFgjUyqqIQM=/0x0:960x1200/968x1210/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/zuc37Eu4pfx6WFysg0knYQwxoj0=/0x0:960x1200/968x1210/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":968,"height":1210,"scalefactor":101},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/RvJ_imtY9UtoxoHSlv9_shdtQ2o=/0x0:960x1200/960x1200/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/zCyptdVdU1v5N8s8aQE_y7a7T7U=/0x0:960x1200/960x1200/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":960,"height":1200,"scalefactor":100},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/F_xvPDArbv6TZkZTu4bkXxQAC7U=/0x0:960x1200/850x1063/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/YIfnaWQJQQ93JrOCHGP8M1xs_eY=/0x0:960x1200/850x1063/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":850,"height":1063,"scalefactor":89},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/r-o6OmveBMVIR83K7odTxwuzMCg=/0x0:960x1200/650x813/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/C4fO0mOuztHo7XUJC8Wdz35dx0Y=/0x0:960x1200/650x813/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":650,"height":813,"scalefactor":68},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/bLzf2REzAgbRRCgHEXPARfC5A-w=/0x0:960x1200/605x756/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/K5U_ow0SNaNAigm3t7vnqlMFSpc=/0x0:960x1200/605x756/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":605,"height":756,"scalefactor":63},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/BwnIx5OjGj5pfxgVKEHIxeP8Viw=/0x0:960x1200/480x600/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/MjqOoaq1YdXM9mL5WKYsC0xJ00Q=/0x0:960x1200/480x600/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":480,"height":600,"scalefactor":50},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/WtHeH7OSclW9mpjIV4fK-SD_pmo=/0x0:960x1200/400x500/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/F3m-5uciNuH48oDuLtSC2y4VZjM=/0x0:960x1200/400x500/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":400,"height":500,"scalefactor":42},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/z5_pwFVGsGreRkxoQOqSh2mupK0=/0x0:960x1200/320x400/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/yUMNAJqUAxJR1YqNS0m4Z7v3yTY=/0x0:960x1200/320x400/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":320,"height":400,"scalefactor":33},{"url":"https://images.thestarimages.com/Xmi2uXUMWBvQHOCtVCSUNdrwpBM=/0x0:960x1200/93x116/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104):format(webp)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","nonWebPUrl":"https://images.thestarimages.com/7lBOOrYVeSi6IYm53XfgHOL4A_U=/0x0:960x1200/93x116/smart/filters:cb(1650411169104)/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/investigations/2022/04/20/break-the-floor-dance-company-new-sexual-misconduct-allegations/gary_schaufeld_portrait_2.jpg","width":93,"height":116,"scalefactor":10}]},{"text":", 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. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. Wall's publicist maintains that the accusations are entirely false. 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 . Break the Floor faces new sexual misconduct allegations | The Star Travis Wall Allegations : r/DCCMakingtheTeam - Reddit That dancer now works for BTF as a choreographer. A year or so later, shortly after her 18th birthday, Stroming flew the dancer out to New York, where he told her he had lined up dance auditions, she says. 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. When allegations of sexual misconduct hit the world-famous dance company Break the Floor last fall, CEO Gil Stroming tried to calm the tight-knit community of dancers and their parents. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. Lonetree alleges Hicks later confronted him, took off Lonetrees headset, and told him to take a walk and come back with the answer I want. Hicks strenuously denies saying this and denies removing Lonetrees headset. But he said he felt uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, then in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the company's events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. Be sure to follow 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.. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. Travis Wall taken off tour with Break the Floor dance company following His mental health deteriorated. So the boy was playing on the floor with these toys, like not even . Travis Wall Sexual Misconduct Accusation, Cut From Break the Floor Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say - PBS Many students endured inappropriate sexual advances or comments from their instructors, Uchida said. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. He worked at a convention in Minneapolis, Minn., where he alleges a 31-year-old Lazzarini groped him. Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. Others did make allegations about BTF staff to owner and CEO Stroming, but their concerns were dismissed, allege two former staffers who say they were harassed on the job. We are committed to being a serious voice in this conversation and will continue our diligent efforts to positively impact the dance industry.. Emmy winning choreographer Travis Wall has been suspended from Break the Floor dance companys traveling tours amid an investigation into an accusation of sexually inappropriate behavior made against him in a story published by the Toronto Star. 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. Stroming declined interview requests and did not respond to the specific allegations. 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. 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. ", The day before, the company posted another statement on its Instagram account. He accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. The Break the Floor dance company is parting ways with the dancer after he and others were accused of a range of sexually inappropriate conduct while on tour. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating.