(New York) The prestigious Juilliard conservatory in New York has placed one of its professors, the American composer Robert Beaser, on leave after accusations of sexual harassment which led the establishment to open an investigation.
“The school launched an independent investigation on December 8 in response to new accusations dating back to the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s” and contained in an investigation by the German site VAN Magazine, the vice-president said on Tuesday. of Juilliard School in charge of public affairs, Rosalie Contreras.
“As part of this process, faculty member” Robert Beaser, who previously headed the school’s music composition department, “is on leave from December 16,” she added.
That day, an open letter signed by some 500 musicians and teachers called for his suspension, considering that his presence at the conservatory “could endanger the emotional well-being of students and be a hindrance to a healthy and protected learning environment. “.
“I am more than willing to participate in Juilliard’s external investigation to protect and defend my reputation,” Robert Beaser said in the Washington Post, by confirming having accepted his leave.
According to VAN Magazine, the composer “is the subject of multiple previously undisclosed accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior, dating from the late 1990s and 2000s”, which range from “repeated sexual advances to sex with female students.
The article, based on email exchanges and anonymous testimonies, quotes in particular that of a former student, to whom Robert Beaser would have “offered a promising career opportunity before attempting to obtain sexual favors in return”.
This is not the first time the musician has faced charges. The school had already carried out two investigations concerning him before, in the late 90s and in the years 2017-2018, said Rosalie Contreras. According to VAN Magazine, Robert Beaser was replaced as head of the school’s composition department in the fall of 2018 by Melinda Wagner.
“Allegations that were reported to the Juilliard School were addressed at the time, based on the information provided. However, in order to review new information and better understand these past allegations, the current school administration has launched a (new) independent investigation,” added Rosalie Contreras.
Located in Lincoln Center in Manhattan, the Juilliard School, one of the most prestigious schools of music and performing arts in the world, counts among its alumni Robin Williams, Jessica Chastain, Yo-Yo Ma or even Adam Driver and Jon Cambric.