In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Break the Floor cited new training that employees have been required to take along with a new and updated code of conduct. He was inviting her to his hotel room. Ellis said Stroming peppered him with questions. 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. The parents Cecilia Sheeren, Toni Carr, Vicki Oglesby, Jerry Walker and Jarneia Beacham accused studio manager Debra Green of misusing the funds they paid to send their daughters to the JUMP. Mapless mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photo when it appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. 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. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say Break the Floor, which tap dancer Gil Stroming founded, provides master classes for younger dancers. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. The largest room is reserved for the main stage, where at many events, aspiring dancers perform showcases and compete for the title of best dancer.. 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. Meismer did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Home - Break The Floor Republication or distribution of this content is Schaufeld said Wallace asked him to assist him at an event in Ontario, along with another female dancer, and they were sharing a room in an Ottawa hotel. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $(document).ready(function() {\n $('.SA_response-container').click(function() {\n $('.SA_hidden', this).toggle();\n });\n });\n ","wallHtmlBody":". They provide amazing opportunities. Misha Gabriel 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. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! Refund Policy for the 2020-2021 Season: If an in-person event is unable to be held on the originally advertised dates, and the studio decides not to attend the event virtually, Break The Floor will issue a FULL REFUND within 7 days of the scheduled event date. Break the Floor, which tap dancer Gil Stroming founded, provides master classes for younger dancers. One of those dancers was Patrick Ellis, who alleges that he told Break the Floors CEO, Gil Stroming, that Lazzarini had stuffed his hand up through a hole in Elliss pants and tried to fondle him. - 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. Break the Floor (who is bringing in a third party to launch an investigation into the accusation lobbied against Wall) said in a story on the company's Instagram page on Friday "Travis will not be traveling with BTF until we've had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations," going on to say "We take this very seriously and Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation 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.. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. Wall's publicist maintains that the accusations are entirely false. 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. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the company's events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Wallace did not respond to questions about those texts. 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 has undergone training and revised its code of conduct, the company said in a statement. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say Lavallee accused Wall of making sexual advances toward him then giving him ecstasy before Lavallee called a friend over to help him in the situation. Instructors accused of predatory behaviour had been fired, Stroming assured. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Three of these dancers were under 18. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. We were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now, he said. About five years later, Lavallee, who now works as a professional dancer and choreographer, told his mother, Wendy, about everything that happened between him and the two older choreographers. One dancer alleges he was 16 when Wall gave him ecstasy and methamphetamine, and now believes Wall was grooming him for a sexual relationship. These alleged relationships took place between 2000, a little after Stroming launched the company, and around 2008, when Stroming would have been in his late 20s. 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. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. 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.". In hotel ballrooms across the United States and Canada, Break the Floor sells the dream of Hollywood fame to ambitious young dancers hoping to launch careers on television, in movies and on stage. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. Famous Break the Floor instructors accused of sexual harassment | The Star He referred reporters to his lawyer, who did not respond. 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. The profile of Gabriel whos performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more has disappeared from the companys website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. 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. 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. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. 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., In a written statement he told AP/Star I have been very upfront that when I first started the company at 19, over 20 years ago, there were issues of inappropriateness., The reach of California-based Break The Floor Productions extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. 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. In the wake of the Stars first investigation, Stroming said the company has worked hard over the last year and a half to make Break the Floor a better and safer environment.. HE WAS INVITING HER TO HIS HOTEL ROOM. After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. 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. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual misconduct that some readers could find distressing. Lavallee also said that Wall gave him ecstasy that night. Schaufeld had fallen in love with tap at seven years old, and this opportunity offered a chance to raise his profile and learn from one of the best. 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.
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