Royal Conservatory of Music to investigate historic sexual abuse allegations

The Royal Conservatory of Music is seen in Toronto, Friday, May 1, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini Giordano Ciampini

TORONTO — The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto says it will launch an independent investigation into allegations of sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.

The music education and performance institute says survivors have publicly shared accounts of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred when they were children and young adults, prompting the conservatory to undertake an internal review.

Once additional historical records are examined, the conservatory says it will launch an external investigation and find experts to assist.

In a first-person essay published in the Toronto Star in February, music teacher Lusiana Lukman accused then-RCM instructor Boris Berlin of sexually abusing her during piano lessons when she was 15 years old.

Berlin, a famed pianist and Order of Canada recipient, died in 2001.

The Star also published a story last month about a woman who had told her daughters before her death in 2023 that she was abused by Berlin during piano lessons.

Heart of institution ‘devastated’: chair

Tim Price, chair of the RCM’s board of directors, says the conservatory has heard calls for action from the community and vice-chair Rayla Myhal says the institute is committed to systemic change.

“While our response to date may have felt distant or slow, please know that the heart of this institution is devastated,” Myhal said in a news release. “We have not been hiding behind silence but deciding on a path that will bring meaningful action, and answers, for any survivors of sexual abuse.”

The Royal Conservatory says its examination of historical records includes communication with the University of Toronto, which owned and operated the institute before 1991.

The conservatory says it has a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, abuse and misconduct and that it regularly reviews its policies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2026.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.