Former sexual misconduct charges against Jérôme Pernoo have been dropped by the Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance, yet Pernoo has been dismissed for one year for additional reasons

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Cello professor at Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance (CNSMDP) Jérôme Pernoo has had sexual assault charges against him dropped, but will not be teaching at the institution for the 2021-22 academic year, due to ‘pedagogical grievances’ unrelated to previous accusations.

This comes after his reinstatement in July 2021, following his suspension in mid-March in the wake of allegations of sexually inappropriate touching that occurred outside the conservatory over a period of more than ten years.

A press statement from his lawyers states, ’The managment of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) notified him by letter received today of their decision “to abandon the project of dismissal for serious misconduct, concerning [him]”. He has not been charged with any of the criminal offenses mentioned by the press, despite an investigation carried out exclusively against him, in direct violation of the cardinal principles of due process, objectivity, impartiality, prudence and confidentiality. He was reinstated by his higher-ups in the administration of the conservatory on July 16, 2021’

It continues, ’Nevertheless, a twelve-month suspension was pronounced on the basis of alleged pedagogical grievances, unrelated to these accusations’

A statement from CNSMDP reads, ’“Following reports from students, then an internal investigation, the CNSMDP noted that Jérôme Pernoo had failed to meet the exemplary requirements required by the conservatory as a higher education establishment. It emerges from numerous testimonies that his teaching methods disrupt the smooth running of the Conservatory and hinder the exercise of the duty of protection imposed owed to its students’ 

Pernoo will contest the decision by filing administrative appeals, and according to CNSMDP, has agreed ’assurance of his commitment to change his teaching methods and to provide teaching in line with the exemplary nature required within an educational establishment’

Read: Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance reinstates suspended cello teacher

Read: UK music school ‘vicariously liable’ for sex abuse by violin teacher

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