Katherine Needleman, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s principal oboist, who played the same role in the Richmond Symphony two decades ago, has become a leading US advocate for female musicians who have been victims of sexual misconduct by male colleagues and teachers.
“More than 175 women, nonbinary and other musicians from marginalized groups have sent accounts to her via email or Facebook,” Rebecca Ritzel reports for the Baltimore Banner. “With permission, Needleman strips most identifying information, sometimes subbing in placeholders like ‘fancy Midwestern music school,’ and posts harrowing accounts that include allegations of teenage sexual abuse and major orchestra principals who have been accused of texting inappropriate photos. . . .
“Her Facebook page now generates more than 950,000 views a month, and her four-month-old Substack newsletter has more than 2,500 subscribers.”
Needleman’s advocacy stems from first-hand experience, outlined in Ritzel’s article:
(via http://artsjournal.com)
Letter V 