Local music schools suspend director for sexual assault allegations

Two local music schools have placed an “immediate leave of absence” on an employee who was recently charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) received a report last month about a sexual assault that happened sometime between 2008 and 2009. On April 10, they arrested and charged music composer Steve Lehmann. He was charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

Though the music schools he helped found specialize in youth, no information has been given yet by WRPS to indicate whether the matter involved children or youth.

KW Glee was co-created by Lehmann and Amanda Kind in 2010 after the alleged incident took place. Lehmann is known in the region for being a music director and producer for KW Glee.

“KW Glee was shocked to find out about the allegations against Steve Lehmann. As soon as we learned about the allegations, Steve was placed on an immediate leave of absence pending the outcome of the matter that is before the courts,” a statement from KW Glee reads. “We have been advised that the organization is not implicated in the allegations as they are alleged to have taken place between 2008 and 2009 before KW Glee existed.”

“The allegations do not relate whatsoever to anyone at KW Glee. We care deeply about the well-being of our KW Glee community, and we are working to help support them as they process this news. As the matter is with the courts, KW Glee has no further comment at this time.”

According to the biography on Lehmann’s person website, he founded the Renaissance School of the Arts while pursuing his music composition degree at Wilfrid Laurier University.

The Renaissance School of the Arts also released a statement on the situation.

“We are aware of the matter regarding Steve Lehmann. As soon as we learned of the allegations, Steve was placed on an immediate leave of absence from Renaissance School of the Arts pending the outcome of the matter that is now before the courts,” the statement from the organization reads. “We were not aware of the alleged incident until now, and the allegations do not relate whatsoever to anyone at Renaissance School of the Arts.”

“We care deeply about the well-being of our Renaissance community and will work to help support them as they process this news. As the matter is with the courts, we have no further comment at this time.”

The 52-year-old from Woolwich Township is also known for his many music collaborations over the years including with Olympic gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. He also worked freelance as a composer for Explosm Entertainment which has over 12 million subscribers on YouTube. The shows are comedy sketches that focus on adult themes and often portray sexually themed content.

Lehmann is set to appear in court at the end of this month on April 30.

Since the charges were made against Lehmann, both schools, Wilfrid Laurier University and Lehmann’s own band, Amplified Midlife Crisis, have removed Lehmann’s biography from their websites.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact WRPS at (519) 570-9777 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-(800)-222-8477 or submit a form online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.