RWB apologizes to students victimized by ex-instructor who took, sold intimate photos

Advertisement

Advertise with us

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has apologized to students who were victims of a former dance instructor taking intimate photos of them.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/02/2022 (1620 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has apologized to students who were victims of a former dance instructor taking intimate photos of them.

The RWB, in a one-page apology released Friday, said it acknowledges the photo sessions “were traumatizing for many students.

The photographer, former faculty member Bruce Monk, posted and sold some of the images online.

Former RWB instructor and photographer Bruce Monk (Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Former RWB instructor and photographer Bruce Monk (Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press files)

“As an internationally recognized centre for dance education, we were and are responsible for providing a safe and supportive environment for the training, housing, nurturing, and mentoring of these former students,” the statement read.

“The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is deeply sorry and regrets that the class members, all of whom were talented and vulnerable young people, were not protected as they should have been.”

The apology was part of the $10 million settlement the RWB agreed to pay last month in return for the dismissal of all claims against the ballet and Monk, who was let go shortly after the allegations were revealed in 2015.

The bulk of the money will go to the former students who were photographed by Monk in a private setting between 1984 and 2015.

The settlement was approved Friday by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

“We offer a heartfelt apology to all of the victims and those that have been impacted,” RWB artistic director and CEO Andre Lewis said in the statement.

“I commend former students for their bravery and courage in coming forward and telling their story, and I want them to know that we are 100 per cent committed to fostering training, working, and living environments that are safe and positive, and where every person feels valued and supported.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.

Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Fringe reviews #11: Our princess is in another theatre

Free Press review team 10 minute read Preview

Fringe reviews #11: Our princess is in another theatre

Free Press review team 10 minute read Saturday, Jul. 18, 2026

'80s Commercials, Alexander Mantia's Zucchini Club, The Ballad of Isobel Gunn, Fission, Flunked, Fringe Family Fun Show, One More Time, A Savage Love Story, Story Story Lie, The (Un)Official (Un)Researched History, Unresolved.

Read
Saturday, Jul. 18, 2026

A team — and league — of our own

Editorial 4 minute read Preview

A team — and league — of our own

Editorial 4 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

North American interest in soccer is at an all-time high. No wonder, given that Canada, Mexico and the United States have hosted the men’s World Cup for the past seven weeks.

Read
2:01 AM CDT

Fringe reviews #13: Achievement unlocked, levelling up

Free Press review team 9 minute read Preview

Fringe reviews #13: Achievement unlocked, levelling up

Free Press review team 9 minute read Yesterday at 12:35 PM CDT

Black Fish, East of Berlin, Green Grab, Rowena Riddle, On Tidy Endings, Saving the Station, The Taming of the Shrew, Nat King Cole, Where We Fly From Hospital Beds

Read
Yesterday at 12:35 PM CDT

City launching safe-walks program around downtown arts venues

Free Press staff 2 minute read Preview

City launching safe-walks program around downtown arts venues

Free Press staff 2 minute read 10:37 AM CDT

Safe walks will be provided and patrols will be increased around downtown performing arts venues during the 2026-27 season, Mayor Scott Gillingham announced Monday.

The safety measures are part of the new Performing Arts Wayfinder Program funded by the mayor’s office.

“Winnipeg’s performing arts organizations help bring our downtown to life,” Gillingham said in a news release.

“They bring people together, support our local economy, and help make Winnipeg a great place to live and visit. This partnership is a practical way to help people feel safe and supported when they’re coming to and from performances.”

Read
10:37 AM CDT

Fringe reviews #12: Game over? Not even close

Free Press review team 8 minute read Preview

Fringe reviews #12: Game over? Not even close

Free Press review team 8 minute read Updated: 12:20 PM CDT

52 STORIES 

Dave Morris

Théâtre Cercle Molière (Venue 3), to July 26

👾👾👾👾 ½

Read
Updated: 12:20 PM CDT

RWB apologizes to students victimized by ex-instructor who took, sold intimate photos

Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Preview

RWB apologizes to students victimized by ex-instructor who took, sold intimate photos

Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Friday, Feb. 11, 2022

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has apologized to students who were victims of a former dance instructor taking intimate photos of them.

The RWB, in a one-page apology released Friday, said it acknowledges the photo sessions “were traumatizing for many students.

The photographer, former faculty member Bruce Monk, posted and sold some of the images online.

“As an internationally recognized centre for dance education, we were and are responsible for providing a safe and supportive environment for the training, housing, nurturing, and mentoring of these former students,” the statement read.

Read
Friday, Feb. 11, 2022