Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Since 1846, AP has been covering the worlds biggest news events, committed to the highest standards of objective, accurate journalism. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace. He was born on 1986 in Budapest, Hungary which 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. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Old tap shoes rest on a chair as Gary Schaufeld describes his time as a young performer in dance competitions, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at his home in Port Jefferson, N.Y. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. 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. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. An unsightly wave of trash washing up on North Carolinas Outer Banks has been linked to a U.S. Navy ship, according to the National Park Service. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. An unsightly wave of trash washing up on North Carolinas Outer Banks has been linked to a U.S. Navy ship, according to the National Park Service. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall of a hotel room they shared with a female assistant and forced oral sex on him. 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. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. 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 picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. 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. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. Richard "Dick" MeismerMETAMORA - Richard A. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. She said once she turned 18, Gabriel, 29 at that time in 2017, invited her to his hotel room in a text message with a shirtless photo. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. 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The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. 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. That night, they had sex in his apartment. He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. 9.6K. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. LOS ANGELES Every year, one of the worlds leading dance competition companies sells the dream of Hollywood fame to hundreds of thousands of ambitious young dancers hoping to launch careers on television, in movies and on stage. The televised dance shows brought fame to dancers Nick Lazzarini, Travis Wall and Misha Gabriel, who became big name attractions as Break The Floor instructors. You Ruin Me - Autumn Miller. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. 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. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. The recent allegations against BTF events (jump, nuvo, tda, Mark was born in Lakewood, California, but raised in Cerritos one of three siblings. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. 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. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. WebMark 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". 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. Martha focuses on justice, accountability and transparency. 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. He is no longer with the company, according to Break the Floor. 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. 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., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Santa Monica cops who ignored warnings that staffer allegedly molested boys should be prosecuted: lawyer, Westchester legislator resigns as leader amid allegations she mishandled ex-aides sexual misconduct case, Cheer coach Monica Aldama responds to wildly inaccurate sex assault lawsuit, NYC sicko who forced 68-year-old woman to perform sex act is busted: cops. After all, Meismer was already an icon. Learn more about policies and standards in APs Statement of News Values and Principles. (AP Photo/John Minchillo), Gary Schaufeld shows a video of him winning a dance competition in his youth as he describes his time performing, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at his home in Port Jefferson, N.Y. A secret ate away at him. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. It was her first year in their junior women's category. For Three Days, You Will Experience The Best Of LA & Hollywood Including Inspiring Master Classes, Speakers, Disney Inspired Master Workshop & perform in a One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall of a hotel room they shared with a female assistant and forced oral sex on him. That night, they had sex in his apartment. 25-Apr-2023. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. She said once she turned 18, Gabriel, 29 at that time in 2017, invited her to his hotel room in a text message with a shirtless photo. 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. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. External Links Twitter page [1] Instagram account [2] 5 minute intervew of Chloe' and Liza, by JJ Snyder at the grand opening of ALDC LA. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. This story was reported as a partnership between The Associated Press and the Toronto Star, 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.. Mark Mester began his professional career as an intern at NBC News in New York City at the young age of 20. Mark worked as a reporter and presenter while he was at ABC affiliate KEYT-TV. The reporter credits his improvement in the sector to the time he spent in Santa Barbara where he got an opportunity to work with veterans at KEYT-TV. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. In 2018, 14 years after the incident, he decided to tell his family, and confront tap dancer Danny Wallace directly. Hudson said he was optimistic. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. We will continue to update details on Mark Meismers family. 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. He apologized and said he himself was a victim of abuse as a teen, and that his texts to Maples were a one time ever brief exchange.. 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. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. [1] Outside the show, he has choreographed several of 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. These retailers will take them, Dodger Stadium gondola may get shut down by city of LA, Homeboy Industries, Kings eliminated from playoffs after Game 6 loss to Oilers, How the Hollywood Bowl put together the ultimate party for Willie Nelsons 90th birthday, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. Mark has choreographed for the TV shows: Scrubs, Dancing with the Stars, and The George Lopez Show. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Carrie Fisher to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: 'Long Overdue,' Says Mark Hamill. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. 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. 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). His mental health deteriorated. His mental health deteriorated. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. In a series of text messages between Schaufeld and Wallace, reviewed by the AP and the Star, Schaufeld laid out his accusations and Wallace said that although he couldnt remember anything, he couldnt be more sorry.. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break the Floor events. 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.. : r/dancemoms 3 yr. ago by wistfullystressedout a genuine prodigy. 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. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. 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. 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. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, CONVENTION BOYFRIEND. "Dick" Meismer, 84, of Metamora, IL, passed away at 9:26 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2017, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.He was born on 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. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. LOS ANGELES Every year, one of the worlds leading dance competition companies sells the dream of Hollywood fame to hundreds of thousands of ambitious young dancers hoping to launch careers on television, in movies and on stage. A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. But after speaking with the AP and the Star in February, Hudson went public and shared his experience in an emotional Instagram video, without naming Meismer. 2018 Winter Intensive at The Brea Space with Beautiful Mark Meismer's Choreography. In an interview earlier this year with the AP and the Star, Wallace denied Schaufelds allegations and said nothing sexual or physical ever transpired between them, though he said he remembered having an inappropriate attraction to Schaufeld.
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