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 late 90s and early 2000s"
and contained in an investigation by the German site
VAN Magazine
, AFP told AFP on Tuesday. Juilliard School Vice President for 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 effective 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 told The
Washington Post
, confirming that he had agreed to his leave.
“Multiple charges”
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 e-mail 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.
Located in Lincoln Center in Manhattan, the Juilliard School, one of the most prestigious schools of music and live performance in the world, counts among its alumni Robin Williams, Jessica Chastain, Yo-Yo Ma or even Adam Driver and Jon Cambric.