MY ENCOUNTER WITH PETER ELLEFSON AT A MAJOR TROMBONE SEMINAR
a guest post by Vanessa Fralick
This post is by trombonist Vanessa Fralick:
I can't sit on this information anymore. Things like what happened to me as a student at a 2007 Trombone Seminar need to be known so we can eradicate this type of behaviour from our industry.
In 2007, Peter Ellefson was a teacher at the Trombone Seminar where I was a 21 year old student. It was held at the University of New Mexico. At the time, and to this day, Pete was professor of trombone at Indiana University. I believe he was approximately 45 at that time. He sat down beside me on a couch at the final party, put his hand on my leg and then followed me to the bathroom when I tried to move away from him. I immediately left the party and nothing happened but he followed up with voicemails and emails where he tried to arrange to meet up with me alone in Chicago the following week, at a bar or even a hotel.
I was terrified that by rejecting him I risked damaging not only my grad school prospects but also my potential career in the orchestra world and responded politely and respectfully, acting flattered, while at the same time making it clear I was not interested in any sort of relationship.
I shared this story anonymously in a Facebook group last summer and oddly, shortly afterwards received an apology email from him – seventeen years later.
It is really scary to write this post but as he is still teaching and performing at major institutions in the USA, I write it so other young players and their teachers can be aware and on their guard.
Our emails from 2007 and his apology email from August 2024 are shared below.
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My immediate thought, upon reading his apology, is that maybe he's in a 12-step program and he's doing the step to make amends. It *sounds* sincere, but the email bombing you experienced in 2007 feels like grooming. I confess I didn't read them all because it's triggering for me ... but grooming, grooming, grooming.
"You're special. I sense that you have feelings for me too." That's straight from the groomers playbook. It says "I'm older and wiser. I know you better than you know yourself - the confusion you're feeling is just love ... for me!" This is followed by, under duress "All the young women I was with had feelings for me too!"
"Let's ignore silly rules/conventions that are there to keep you safe. I will keep you safe." Translation: "when I've grown bored and move on, I will view you as an obstacle to my next victim. Moreover, I will trash your reputation because I think that will make me look better to the next victim."
Heartfelt congratulations to Vanessa on navigating through it, continuing to pursue playing and being successful despite what happened!
I know Vanessa. She’s a seriously impressive musician. Thank you Vanessa for sharing this email chain.
May placing a spotlight on Pete’s behaviour help another student avoid the same situation. Let’s keep each other safe by taking our whisper network and putting it out in the open. 🔦🔦🔦