'We Believe You' Solidarity Concert Held For Classical Music Sexual Assault Victims

A special solidarity concert has been held in support of violinist Lara St John - and for all female musicians who've suffered sexual abuse in the classical music community

A special solidarity concert has been held in New York City this week in support of violinist Lara St John - and for all female musicians who've suffered sexual abuse in the classical music community.

Held at the Gallery MC on Friday evening and entitled 'Solidarity Concert for Lara St. John', the special event included performances by Lara St John, Mara Gerety, Dan Cooper, Kristina Cooper, Emily Duncan, Camille Haris, Matt Herskowitz, Erik T. Johnson, Claire Lim, Milica Paranosic, Mia Theodoratus and Gene Pritsker.

In July of this year, the 48-year-old Canadian violin soloist made serious allegations, in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, that she had been sexually abused and raped by her 78-year-old violin teacher at the Curtis Institute of Music – as a 14-year-old 1st year student in 1985.

Lara told the Inquirer that in 1986 she, along with two classmates, reported the alleged sexual abuse to the then Dean of the Curtis Institute, Robert Fitzpatrick – but that the three students were mocked and the allegations disregarded.

During Friday evening's 'We Believe You' themed concert, Lara shared a digest of more than 400 emails she has received since going public with her claims - including an account sent to her about an 8-year-old music student who had been sexually abused and who ultimately committed suicide.

The string of anonymous emails, read aloud, detailed multiple alleged historical sexual assaults reportedly to have taken place at the Curtis Institute, Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music and Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music.

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We’re here at the Gallery MC in New York City this evening for the 'Solidarity Concert for Lara St. John' | The free concert, entitled ‘We Believe You!’ to support women who’ve suffered sexual abuse in the classical music community, includes performances by Lara St John, Mara Gerety, Dan Cooper, Kristina Cooper, Emily Duncan, Camille Haris, Matt Herskowitz, Erik T. Johnson, Claire Lim, Milica Paranosic, Mia Theodoratus, Gene Pritsker and more ... #MeToo

A post shared by The Violin Channel (@theviolinchannel) on Sep 6, 2019 at 4:59pm PDTView this post on Instagram

We’re here at the Gallery MC in New York City this evening for the 'Solidarity Concert for Lara St. John' - a free concert, entitled ‘We Believe You!’ to support women who’ve suffered sexual abuse in the classical music community | The Ulysses Quartet in attendance this evening to lend their personal support @stjohnlara @ulyssesquartet

A post shared by The Violin Channel (@theviolinchannel) on Sep 6, 2019 at 6:37pm PDTView this post on Instagram

We’re here at the Gallery MC in New York City this evening for the 'Solidarity Concert for Lara St. John' - a free concert, entitled ‘We Believe You!’ to support women who’ve suffered sexual abuse in the classical music community | Composer John Corigliano and pianist Matt Herskowitz in attendance this evening to lend their personal support @stjohnlara #metoo

A post shared by The Violin Channel (@theviolinchannel) on Sep 6, 2019 at 6:43pm PDTView this post on Instagram

We’re here at the Gallery MC in New York City this evening for the 'Solidarity Concert for Lara St John' | The free concert, entitled ‘We Believe You!’ to support women who’ve suffered sexual abuse in the classical music community, includes performances by Lara St John, Mara Gerety, Dan Cooper, Kristina Cooper, Emily Duncan, Camille Haris, Matt Herskowitz, Erik T. Johnson, Claire Lim, Milica Paranosic, Mia Theodoratus, Gene Pritsker and more ... #metoo

A post shared by The Violin Channel (@theviolinchannel) on Sep 6, 2019 at 4:31pm PDT