New York’s prestigious Juilliard performing arts college, whose alumni embody actor Adam Driver and musician Jon Batiste, has positioned a professor of music composition on go away following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Robert Beaser, 68, was placed on go away final Friday, the varsity’s vice chairman of public affairs, Rosalie Contreras, informed AFP Tuesday.
The transfer got here the identical day some 500 musicians and classical music leaders signed an open letter calling for motion over his alleged “decades-long abuse of women and power.”
Sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to Beaser, who has been a member of the Juilliard college since 1993, had been printed within the German-based classical music journal VAN on December 12.
The allegations vary from repeated sexual advances to sexual relationships with college students between the late Nineteen Nineties and 2000s.
The report cites a former pupil who described one occasion “in which Beaser offered her a promising career opportunity before attempting to obtain sexual favors in return.”
“What will you do for me?” she stated Beaser requested.
Contreras stated that Juilliard had launched impartial investigations into Beaser within the late Nineteen Nineties and once more in 2017-18.
“Allegations that were previously reported to The Juilliard School were handled at the time, based on the information that was provided,” she stated.
She stated that an investigation into the brand new allegations detailed in VAN journal has been opened.
“Sexual discrimination and sexual harassment have no place in our school community. We take all such allegations extremely seriously,” stated Contreras.
Juilliard, based mostly in Manhattan, is broadly thought of to be one of the illustrious drama, music and dance faculties on the earth.
Notable alumni embody Robin Williams, Barry Manilow, Jessica Chastain and Yo-Yo Ma.
Juilliard’s provost, Adam Meyer, informed college members in a letter Friday that “in light of the ongoing investigation, and following discussions with Bob earlier this afternoon, we want to notify you that Bob will step away from his teaching duties and other faculty responsibilities while the investigation is being conducted.”
He added that the investigation could be carried out “in a confidential manner.”
“We want to assure you that our processes and procedures provide for fair and impartial treatment of all involved, and we are committed to our work to resolve this matter,” he wrote.
Beaser, who chaired the composition division from 1994 to 2018, informed The Washington Post on Sunday that he was “more than willing to participate in Juilliard’s outside investigation in order to protect and defend my reputation.” —Agence France-Presse
