On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. 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.. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. 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. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. 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). This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. 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). 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. But behind the bright lights and pulsing music, some dancers say they were sexually assaulted, harassed and manipulated by the companys powerful founder and famous teachers and choreographers, according to a joint investigation by The Associated Press and 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.. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. Thanks for contacting us. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. You Ruin Me - Autumn Miller. 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. A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. This is an event that you don't want to miss! In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. That night, they had sex in his apartment. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Kristyn chats with the hottest dancers and choreographers in the TV and film. Weba genuine prodigy. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. Meismer allegedly asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. 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. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. By the mid-2000s, dance exploded into the mainstream with the debuts of popular television shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. LOS ANGELES (AP) 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. After all, I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. 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. That night, they had sex in his apartment. 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. WebHe has a daughter named Ryan. It was her first year in their junior women's category. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. That night, they had sex in his apartment. To contact APs investigations team, please write to investigative@ap.org, Follow the journalists on Twitter @julietlinderman, @mendozamartha, and @mobocks. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. WebIn dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. About two decades ago, when she was a dance teacher accompanying her students to a Break the Floor event, she said she refused Stromings $500 offer to join him in his hotel room. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. His biggest accomplishment and proudest achievement are being a dad to his beautiful daughter Ryan. About two decades ago, when she was a dance teacher accompanying her students to a Break the Floor event, she said she refused Stromings $500 offer to join him in his hotel room. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. The actor revealed in October 2022 that he packed up his things and moved his family out of their plush $90 million California mansion in a bid for a better life.. Carrie Fisher to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: 'Long Overdue,' Says Mark Hamill. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. Hundreds of studios and schools from smaller communities bring teams of dancers to the events, branded by Stroming as JUMP, NUVO, 24seven, RADIX and DancerPalooza. 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. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. 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. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. The Southern California News Group is one of them. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. 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. 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. 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. 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. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. The problems date back to the founding of the North Hollywood-based Break the Floor Productions; as the company has grown into an industry powerhouse, its leaders perpetuated a culture of sex and silence, according to interviews with dozens of former and current staff and students. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. 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. Hudson said he was optimistic. Web820K views 4 years ago. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. As for the other allegation from the then 16-year-old, Gabriel denied sending the photo, saying he would never engage in inappropriate behavior that would ever lead to sending something like this to a teen. Mark Meismer fathers name is under review and mother unknown at this time. 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. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. 25-Apr-2023. 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. Hundreds of studios and schools from smaller communities bring teams of dancers to the events, branded by Stroming as JUMP, NUVO, 24seven, RADIX and DancerPalooza. 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. 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. 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. Glenda Carol (Butler) Meismer, 63, of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. His mental health deteriorated. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. But behind the bright lights and pulsing music, some dancers say they were sexually assaulted, harassed and manipulated by the companys powerful founder and famous teachers and choreographers, according to a joint investigation by The Associated Press and the Toronto Star. The AP and the Star spoke to the dancers father, who said that in the years following, she told him about these sexual interactions with Stroming, which left her deeply upset. Richard "Dick" MeismerMETAMORA - Richard A.

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