The Juilliard School has suspended Korean faculty member Kang Choong-mo after a report of alleged sexual misconduct lead to an internal investigation. Kang claims there was a misunderstanding in the matter.
Allegedly, there was a report filed against Kang, 55, about misconduct with a student. Since the report, Kang has been prohibited from returning to the school premises.
According to Slipped Disc, a letter went out to the Juilliard staff from college President Joseph W. Polisi explaining the situation.
“I am writing to let you know that the school has received a report alleging sexual misconduct by faculty member Choong-mo Kang. His alleged misconduct involved a student. Juilliard reported this matter to law enforcement and has prohibited Mr. Kang from returning to school premises. Mr. Kang has been suspended pending further action by the school,” he said.
But Kang has given an interview to a Korean media site, saying that the alleged misconduct never happened and that is it all a misunderstanding.
“Juilliard is a school that teaches dance and music, so there are stringent rules on physical contact. The rule says that ahead of any physical contact, I need to ask the student’s permission, and I didn’t know this,” he said.
He continued by saying the he touched student’s fingers and hands while instructing on the piano, which the student found to be inappropriate.
“The student, who I have taught for two years, stated humiliation as the reason for the report. I’ve taught for 20 years this way, and never has this kind of contact surfaced as an issue. I have not resigned from Juilliard. I have been suspended as per the rules, and the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
Kang began teaching at Juilliard in 2011. He has won a number of music competitions, including the Frinna Awerbuch International Piano and the Washington International competitions, and has performed solo with the London and Moscow philharmonic orchestras.
