Berlin, who wrote the popular primer \u201cThe ABC of Piano Playing\u201d and was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada<\/a> for having \u201cprofoundly influenced musical instruction in our country,\u201d died in 2001. He taught at the RCM for more than 70 years. In a separate allegation, another former student recently came forward<\/a>, alleging Berlin sexually abused her when she was a teenager in the 1980s.<\/p>\n Boris Berlin, seen here in 2001.<\/p>\n David Cooper\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n But so far, the Royal Conservatory of Music<\/a> (RCM) has failed to take concerns about Berlin seriously, according to critics who say RCM has long been aware of Berlin\u2019s conduct but has done little to address it.<\/p>\n A recently hired Conservatory teacher has quit in protest of the school\u2019s handling of the first allegation. That instructor, prominent American pianist Jonathan Biss, shares his story in an op-ed in today\u2019s Star<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a petition demanding an independent investigation<\/a> into alleged sexual abuse at the RCM has gathered more than 2,200 names since it launched April 20. Acclaimed Canadian entertainer Jann Arden is among the signatories, according to petition organizers. So is Halliwell\u2019s other daughter Shannon.<\/p>\n The Halliwell family came forward to the Star after reading an article in the newspaper detailing allegations from former Berlin student Lusiana Lukman.<\/p>\n In her first-person article<\/a>, Lukman said Berlin sexually abused her in the mid 1980s, when she was 15 years old, a recent visa student from Indonesia who barely spoke English and without family or friends in Canada. Lukman said she reported the abuse to the school\u2019s director of academic studies at the time, Peter Simon, but aside from an offer to switch teachers, nothing was done. At the time of Lukman\u2019s article, Simon said he did not recall the meeting but that he would have treated such allegations seriously and reported them to his superiors.<\/p>\n Lusiana Lukman went on to establish her own musical school, the Classical Music Conservatory, in Toronto.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Lance McMillan\/Toronto Star<\/p>\n In a statement to the Star, the school said that since Lukman\u2019s allegations emerged in February it has been conducting a \u201cthorough internal investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n Lukman said no one from the school\u2019s current administration has reached out to her. In her petition, she expressed concern that the RCM is prioritizing its reputation over the safety of the students under its care.<\/p>\n An RCM spokesperson said its internal investigation has been complicated \u201cby the fact that RCM was owned and operated by the University of Toronto, during the period in question\u201d and that the school is exploring other options, including an independent, third-party investigation.<\/p>\n In response to the Star\u2019s question about Halliwell\u2019s allegation, the RCM said: \u201cWe are deeply saddened to learn of allegations by Margaret Halliwell\u2019s family. \u2026 We recognize the profound impact these accounts have on survivors, their families, and our community. \u2026 We hear clearly the calls for action from students, parents, faculty, and community members. We stand with victims of sexual abuse and remain committed to addressing these concerns with the seriousness and care they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n Students witnessed Berlin\u2019s alleged verbal and sexual abuse<\/p>\n Born in 1951 in St. Catharines, Ont., Halliwell grew up in a deeply religious home, and her parents insisted she go to the Ontario Bible College. But she wanted to be a musician and teacher.<\/p>\n During an interview at their home in Toronto, Halliwell\u2019s husband Don MacDonald, also a musician, and their two daughters, now in their 30s, told the story of Margaret\u2019s journey to the RCM. Both daughters are musicians and studied piano and took exams at the Conservatory.<\/p>\n Margaret Halliwell\u2019s husband Don MacDonald, with their children, Shannon Halliwell-MacDonald, left, and Emily Halliwell-MacDonald, in the family home with a photo of Margaret.<\/p>\n Richard Lautens Toronto Star<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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