Allegations of sexual misconduct first hit the dance company in October, when the Toronto Starrevealed allegationsof widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Break the Floor instructors. Six Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break the Floor published a new code of conduct. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. He is a married and he has a daughter and her name is Ryan. By JULIET LINDERMAN, MARTHA MENDOZA and MORGAN BOCKNEK | Associated Press and 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. 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. James Lawrence Meismer, 73, of Brazoria, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Sweeny House in Sweeny. 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 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.. 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. 25-Apr-2023. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted. (AP Photo/John Minchillo), Gary Schaufeld stands for a portrait at his home, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Port Jefferson, N.Y. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. 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. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. That conclusion Mark Meismer fathers name is under review and mother unknown at this time. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. For Three Days, You Will Experience The Best Of LA & Hollywood Including Inspiring Master Classes, Speakers, Disney Inspired Master Workshop & perform in a Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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. 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. High school student, convention boyfriend. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. Three of these dancers were under 18. His mental health deteriorated. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. "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 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. Gary Schaufeld wipes a tear from his eyes as he shows pictures from his youth of him performing in dance competitions, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at his home in Port Jefferson, N.Y. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. We've received your submission. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. 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 Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Thank you for everyone who has supported me all these The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. 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. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Company instructors have appeared on Dancing with the Stars, Dance Moms and So You Think You Can Dance. When COVID-19 lockdowns suspended in-person workshops, Break the Floor enlisted social media superstar Charli DAmelio, whose TikTok account has around 10.5 billion likes, to record instructional videos. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace. Learn more about policies and standards in APs Statement of News Values and Principles. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he says. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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.. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. 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. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. 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. 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. WATCH: Why we feel better after dancing But at Meismers Some of his TV credits include American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Scrubs, Will and Grace, The George Lopez Show, Home Improvement, Mad About You, The Hughleys, The MTV Video Music Awards, The American Music Awards, The VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the Rosie O'Donnell Show. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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.. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Facts. 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. That night, they had sex in his apartment. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. 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. 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. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. 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. WebMark Matthew Meismer is a choreographer who was responsible for Gavin's solo in the episode Blame It on the New Girl. Mark Meismer grew up in Orange County, California where he trained for four years at the Orange County High School of the Arts. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. 9.6K. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. 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. At least four people removed from Break the Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. 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. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. 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. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. 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. Martha focuses on justice, accountability and transparency. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. 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. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. Mark grew up in Orange County, California where he trained for four years at the Orange County High School of the Arts. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Glenda Carol (Butler) Meismer, 63, of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. Kristyn chats with the hottest dancers and choreographers in the TV and film. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. 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.. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. 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. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. transcenDANCE is the next biggest dance event in the Philippines featuring dance masters from different parts of the world. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. He served in the United States Army between Korea and WWII and was an operator at Dow Chemical. 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. He was born on November 3, 1954 in El Campo. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, CONVENTION BOYFRIEND. Michael Joseph Meismer, 61 of Baytown, passed away on April 21, 2016. 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. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. 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. Weba genuine prodigy. 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. He has danced in commercials for Dr. Pepper, Reebok, Pepsi, Toyota and Frito Lay. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. AP journalists in more than 100 countries tell the worlds stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting to visual storytelling. She married Michael Meismer on April 10, 1976 in El Campo. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. 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. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. 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. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. He was a retired pipefitter. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. 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. 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. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted. (AP Photo/John Minchillo). 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. In addition to competitions with cash prizes, Break The Floor conventions which cost between around $200 to $350 per student offer dozens of workshops, under strobing lights and thumping music. Dancers Whisper. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. Glenda was born in Baytown on Oct. 21, 1948, the daughter of James Jim and Eva Lee (Bradford) Butler. 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. 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. Mark has been dancing professionally for nineteen years. (AP Photo/John Minchillo), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news, By JULIET LINDERMAN, MARTHA MENDOZA and MORGAN BOCKNEK. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. 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. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Carrie Fisher to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: 'Long Overdue,' Says Mark Hamill. 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). 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. 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. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. 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.
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