St. Jacobs man charged historic sexual offences
A ST. JACOBS MUSICIAN HAS
been suspended as a director of the KW Glee youth singing group after being charged with historic sexual offences.
Steven Lehmann, 52, was also placed on a leave of absence by Waterloo’s Renaissance School of the Arts, which he had founded 31 years ago.
He was arrested earlier this month by Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Special Victims Unit following reports of alleged offences that took place between 2008 and 2009.
The married father-offour was later charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation. He is set to appear in court on April 30.
Police are calling for other possible victims to come forward.
Lehmann had worked for Waterloo-based KW Glee, which describes itself as “Canada’s top pop choir” for singers aged six to 21, since its launch in 2010.
His picture and profile were still on the company’s website on April 18, when police revealed they had arrested him eight days earlier.
The following day all references to him were removed and the organization said they had suspended him in his role as producer, arranger and music director.
“KW Glee was shocked to find out about the allegations against Steve Lehmann,” the organization said in a statement.
“As soon as we learned about the allegations, Steve was placed on an immediate leave of absence pending the outcome of the matter that is before the courts.
“We have been advised that the organization is not implicated in the allegations as they are alleged to have taken place between 2008 and 2009 before KW Glee existed.”
On the same day, Renaissance School of the Arts, which Lehmann founded in 1993, also announced they had placed the musician on a leave of absence.
“We were not aware of the alleged incident until now, and the allegations do not relate whatsoever
to anyone at Renaissance School of the Arts,” a statement read.
“We care deeply about the well-being of our Renaissance community and will work to help support them as they process this news.”
According to a LinkedIn account, Lehmann had also been a music composer for Explosm
LLC in Toronto since 2008.
He has also composed music for the Cyanide and Happiness animated series and an online biography stated that he was “actively scoring feature films, short films, corporate videos, commercials, and video games.”
He has also performed with several bands and orchestras as well as being involved with dozens of musical theatre productions, the site said.
Lehmann’s former KW Glee profile stated: “Steve’s body of work features collaborations with an array of prominent clients on a variety of platforms, such as Olympic gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Cyanide & Happiness, CollegeHumor, Blackberry, WWE, Ubisoft, Serenity Forge, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Syfy, NBC, Nintendo, Playstation, and Steam.
“Worldwide, Steve’s music has streamed over four billion times. Steve is immensely proud of the achievements and dedication of everyone involved with KW Glee.”
The stevelehmann. com website also said his “experience has put him in front of President Bill Clinton and on stage with the KW Symphony, and Juno-nominated bagpiper Rob Crabtree.”
The Wilfrid Laurier University graduate lives in St. Jacobs with his wife Angela and their three daughters and a son, according to the same site.
Police said the “investigation is ongoing” but have not confirmed whether or not there have been any other complaints against Lehmann.
“Members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Special Victims Unit have arrested a male in connection to a sexual assault investigation in Waterloo,” read a statement.
“In March 2024, police received a report of a historical sexual assault that took place between 2008 and 2009.
“As a result of the ongoing investigation, on April 10, 2024, Steven Lehmann, a 52-year-old male from Woolwich Township, was arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
“The accused is scheduled to appear in court on April 30, 2024. The investigation is ongoing by WRPS’ Special Victims Unit.
“WRPS’ Special Victims Unit is encouraging anyone with information or other victims to contact WRPS at 519-570-9777.”