202 Lara St. John: Creating Change: Ensuring Safety & Equity in Classical Music

A particularly important episode of the Mind Over Finger Podcast with guest Lara St. John where we discuss the context and impact of sexual abuse, the lack of representation, and how women often don't get the support they need. 

Lara shares her own experiences and she stresses the need for institutions to step up and create a safe space for everyone by being transparent, and having clear steps to handle sexual harassment and assault. 

Finally, we touch on the power dynamics and gender issues in the classical music world and the difficulty of addressing these issues in a society that often prefers to stay silent 

**CLARIFICATION: During the conversation, it was inaccurately stated that the union reinstated the NY Phil musicians. The union brought the case to arbitration, and the arbitrator ultimately ruled in favor of reinstating them in their positions.**

Download the transcript from this episode HERE

 

MORE ABOUT LARA ST. JOHN

• Website:  https://www.larastjohn.com/
• YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@StJohnLara
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AncalagonRecords
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stjohnlara/
• Lara St. John & the Curtis Institute: https://larastjohn.club/ 

Resources

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): https://www.rainn.org/

• Offers support, information, and a hotline for victims of sexual assault.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): https://www.nsvrc.org/

• Provides resources and information on sexual violence prevention and support for survivors.

Me Too Movement: https://metoomvmt.org/

• Advocacy and support network for survivors of sexual violence.

Time's Up: https://timesupnow.org/

• An organization that addresses workplace sexual harassment and inequality.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): https://www.eeoc.gov/

• Federal agency providing information and support on workplace discrimination and harassment.

National Women’s Law Center (NWLC): https://nwlc.org/

• Provides legal information and resources related to sexual harassment and gender equality in the workplace.

Writers Guild of America’s “MYConnext” Tool: https://www.wga.org/members/employment-resources/know-your-rights

• Resource for reporting workplace harassment and finding support.

The Black Orchestral Network: https://www.blackorchestralnetwork.org/

• Advocacy for equity in orchestral settings, including addressing issues of harassment and discrimination.

American Federation of Musicians (AFM): https://www.afm.org/

• Union providing support and resources for musicians, including initiatives against harassment.

Chicago Federation of Musicians’ #NotMe App: https://cfm10208.com/musician-resources/fair-employment-practices-and-notme

• An app for reporting harassment within the music industry.

Change the Culture Committee – Proposal Document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13f_eQl2VEaRF1pxIKkdsUcJr4mEmNy87/view?usp=sharing

Articles 

Lara St-John & The Curtis Institute – Articles catalog: https://larastjohn.club/ 

Sammy Sussman – Articles catalog: https://sammysussman.com/reporting?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0KtQ42ZfE7azBHCTWlp5ErasRAyAYWAjrdzwBOPPPAJmlCZcmwnH3kAlQ_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw 

A Hidden Sexual-Assault Scandal at the New York Philharmonic - Two musicians were fired for sexual misconduct. Why are they back with the orchestra?  https://www.vulture.com/article/new-york-philharmonic-sexual-assault-scandal.html

Abused, then mocked- acclaimed violinist says she was sexually assaulted by her renowned teacher at the Curtis institute, and then disregarded when she reported it  https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/lara-st-john-sexual-abuse-jascha-brodsky-curtis-institute-philadelphia-20190725.html

They Wouldn't Believe Me https://larastjohn.club/philadelphia-inquirer-subsequent-articles/they-wouldnt-believe-me-1

Top Music School Finds Sexual Abuse Allegations From Violinist 'Credible' https://www.npr.org/2020/09/23/916108440/top-music-school-finds-sexual-abuse-allegations-from-violinist-credible

Investigative Report 2020 - Statement from the Curtis Institute Board of Trustees https://www.curtis.edu/about/institutional-policies/investigative-report-2020/

The evolution of #MeToo https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/evolution-metoo/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR01peoxpx0nkteuYsbKRI7YGmItXKk-AmiymMtHSLFyOkcfexxLq8UH0BY_aem_WbvxwAylau31GKIPEcDNvw

Tainted History - Former Juilliard composition students share allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct https://van-magazine.com/mag/juilliard-sexual-harassment/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1p_C22c0w4D-YFUyxca3r-uDaaHapH5Ef9Lwbfejr4S4toB0ImL5vZP8o_aem_JvRLjIQ8FxqIBJdzJXQfnA

Cleveland Orchestra Fires Two Musicians for Sexual Misconduct https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/arts/music/cleveland-orchestra-sexual-harassment-misconduct.html#:~:text=The%20accusations%20first%20surfaced%20in,and%20making%20a%20lewd%20advance.%E2%80%9D

Calgary Philharmonic removes two musicians after month-long investigation over ‘troubling comments’ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/article-calgary-philharmonic-removes-two-musicians-after-month-long/

Assaults in dressing rooms. Groping during lessons. Classical musicians reveal a profession rife with harassment. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/assaults-in-dressing-rooms-groping-during-lessons-classical-musicians-reveal-a-profession-rife-with-harassment/2018/07/25/f47617d0-36c8-11e8-acd5-35eac230e514_story.html

Music professor retires from Rice following allegations of inappropriate conduct with female students https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/2024/05/29/488887/rice-william-vermeulen-allegations-inappropriate-conduct-female-students/

Demondrae Thurman no longer serving in Jacobs School of Music roles after sexual misconduct allegations https://www.idsnews.com/article/2024/05/demondrae-thurman-no-longer-serving-jacobs-school-of-music-sexual-misconduct-allegations

Music’s Perpetually Open Secret - 18 years after they were first reported, allegations of sexual harassment at the Butler School of Music have continued https://van-magazine.com/mag/open-secret/

Former students bring 40 years of misconduct allegations against SMTD professor - https://www.michigandaily.com/news/community-affairs/former-students-bring-40-years-misconduct-allegations-smtd-professor/

As sentencing nears for violinist, four women say he sexually abused them while at UNC school - https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article260382977.html

Violin professor who taught around the world is charged with sex attack  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/royal-college-of-music-london-alfie-boe-south-africa-borough-b2285682.html

James Levine’s Final Act at the Met Ends in Disgrace  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/arts/music/james-levine-metropolitan-opera.html

Opera Star David Daniels Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault  https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/arts/opera-star-david-daniels-guilty-plea-sexual-assault.html

Royal College of Music investigating misconduct complaints https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/royal-college-of-music-investigating-misconduct-complaints-8nhkp0qx6

Senior professor at Royal College of Music quits over health issues after complaints of gross misconduct upheld  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13305193/royal-college-music-senior-professor-quits-health-issues-gross-misconduct.html