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SALT LAKE CITY — An instructor at the Ballet West Academy is accused of inappropriately touching a student.
Stephen Legate, 56, of Salt Lake City, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
In November, a girl was at her ballet class when her instructor, Legate, "began teaching the 'Alexander Technique,' which she described as sitting on the edge of a chair to help put the pelvis and posture in alignment," according to charging documents.
After the class ended, the girl said she returned to the chair to try the exercise on her own, the charges state.
"Legate approached her and corrected her technique. She said Legate was standing in front of her when he suddenly walked to the left side of her chair and put his right hand between the chair and her seat," and touched her inappropriately, according to the charges.
As police investigated, officers were told by the academy's director of human resources "the 'Alexander Technique' is not part of the curriculum at the academy," the charges state.
When questioned by detectives, Legate allegedly said he taught the technique once and "demonstrated the technique to the students, then dismissed them. Legate stated some of the students came up to use the one chair to try the technique," according to the charges.
Prosecutors noted in charging documents that Legate "is an instructor at a prominent ballet school, where he regularly interacts with adolescents of all ages. (He) used his position of trust as an instructor and a training opportunity to prey on the victim."
Ballet West released a brief statement to KSL.com on Monday, stating administrators were aware of the charge and the investigation leading up to it.
"The individual involved has not provided services to the Academy since Ballet West learned of the investigation. It is Ballet West's policy not to comment substantively on personnel matters, ongoing investigations, or pending legal actions. As a result, we are unable to discuss the matter further at this time."
