You Ruin Me - Autumn Miller. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. 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. Three of these dancers were under 18. Hed toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. WATCH: Why we feel better after dancing But at Meismers 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. Mark Meismer was an actor who had a successful Hollywood career. Mark is also an original member of Mia Michaels's dance company "RAW" based out of New York City. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. 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. 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. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. 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. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. 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. Billie Lourd will accept the honor on behalf of her late mother Carrie Fisher on Star Wars Day, May 4 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 recent allegations against BTF events (jump, nuvo, tda, In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. WebDiscover 9 famous people who were born in Lakewood, CA including Lisa Fernandez, Mark Meismer, Jon Singleton, Bobby Crosby, Bryce Xavier, Bryton James, Niki Withers, Greg LeMond and many more. 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. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. 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. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. 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. We will continue to update details on Mark Meismers family. But the secret ate away at him. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. Kristyn chats with the hottest dancers and choreographers in the TV and film. That night, they had sex in his apartment. Mark 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". He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. 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. 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. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. 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. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. Glenda was a 1967 graduate of Barbers Hill High School. 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. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. She was first seen at pyramid when Abby introduced her and her daughter, "Chloe N." Stroming declined repeated interview requests. The problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-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. 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. 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. 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. A year or so later, shortly after her 18th birthday, Stroming flew the dancer to New York, where he told her he had lined up potentially career-launching dance auditions, she says. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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. Mrs. Meismer was a graduate of Hoke County High School. 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. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. That night, they had sex in his apartment. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. One dancer said she met Stroming when she was a 16-year-old high school junior attending one of Break the Floors first events with her parents. Some of Mark's film credits include Jackass 2, Austin Powers 2, Austin Powers 3 Goldmember, Starsky and Hutch, Gigli, North and A Time for Dancing. 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. 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. The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. 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.. The problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-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. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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. Mark has been dancing professionally for nineteen years. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted. (AP Photo/John Minchillo). He was the assistant choreographer to Mia on Celine Dion's show A New Day in Las Vegas and has assisted Mia on the FOX TV reality show So You Think You Can Dance. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. 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. After all, Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. Mark Meismer hails from Lakewood, California, United States. This is an event that you don't want to miss! 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. Thanks for contacting us. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. 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. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. : r/dancemoms 3 yr. ago by wistfullystressedout a genuine prodigy. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. But the secret ate away at him. Glenda Carol (Butler) Meismer, 63, of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012. 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. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. 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. Mark has had a very diverse career in concert dance and A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. The Southern California News Group is one of them. It was her first year in their junior women's category. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Mark Meismer fathers name is under review and mother unknown at this time. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. 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. 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. WebHe has a daughter named Ryan. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. He was born on June 19, 1973 and his birthplace is Lakewood, CA. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. 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. Allegations of sexual misconduct first hit the dance company in October, when the Toronto Star revealed allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Break the Floor instructors. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. He has danced in commercials for Dr. Pepper, Reebok, Pepsi, Toyota and Frito Lay. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. His mental health deteriorated. He has a daughter named Ryan. He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. 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. 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. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. 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.. 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. Mark has choreographed for the TV shows: Scrubs, Dancing with the Stars, and The George Lopez Show. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. Born Sept. 27, 1933, in Hoke County, she was the daughter of the late George Dewey Dees Sr. and Ottie Long Dees. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. 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. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. 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. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. 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.. what happened to kenny the traffic guy,