Allegations of harm from former Rock School students lead to Paul Green’s continued teaching until recent revelations emerged.

Dozens of former students from the Paul Green School of Rock Music, a now-closed educational program known for its performing arts approach, have recently come together to discuss their experiences amidst a backdrop of troubling allegations against the school’s founder. While many of these alumni have fond memories of their youth, filled with road trips and performances alongside rock legends such as Eddie Vedder and Billy Idol, conversations have shifted towards the emotional and psychological trauma they say they faced under Green’s tutelage.

The crux of these discussions stems from a detailed report published in May by Air Mail magazine, which outlined the deeply troubling allegations against Green. The report, based on interviews with over 60 former students, revealed a pattern of abusive behavior, including physical violence, violent outbursts, and fostering an inappropriate sexual environment for minors. Green’s aggressive and erratic temperament reportedly led to a culture of fear that permeated the school.

Despite not responding directly to the allegations initially, Green later announced that he would not accompany his students on their summer tour of Europe and the U.S. Following the report, numerous former students and staff members stepped forward to share additional allegations regarding sexual misconduct. Among these accounts is the distressing testimony of a woman who claimed Green had initiated a nearly two-year-long sexual relationship with her when she was just 17 years old.

This marks the first time Green has been publicly accused of such misconduct while running the school. In response to the mounting allegations, Green professed his intent to retire from teaching, denying any sexual relations with students or minors during his tenure at the school. He emphasized that while he may have had extramarital relationships, they did not involve any students or individuals under the legal age of consent.

The legal age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16; however, individuals in positions of authority, such as teachers, can face severe legal consequences for sexual contact with individuals under 18. The former student shared her experience of Green’s inappropriate behavior, recalling that it began with flirtation and escalated to significant physical contact, culminating in sexual encounters under the guise of mentorship.

As accounts continue to emerge, many former students have found solace in reconnecting with one another. They established a WhatsApp group, where survivors can share their stories and seek support. Sentiments of manipulation and trauma resonate throughout their narratives, with many expressing that the experience at the School of Rock left them with wounds they are still trying to heal.

Individuals like Carolyn Satlow, who participated in the program, called Green’s actions a total manipulation that fostered a disturbing culture filled with secrets and silence. Many alumni have noted how the environment created by Green allowed for predatory behavior to be normalized, with students feeling insecure and vulnerable under his influence.

In recent interviews, numerous former students described the traumatic and degrading environment they endured, reinforcing the notion that abuse was not an isolated incident within the school but part of a broader pattern influenced by Green’s authoritarian approach. For these former students, confronting their experiences has been a complicated journey intertwined with their relationships to music and their identities.

As the School of Rock evolves under new leadership, with no ties to Green for over 15 years, many former students hope that their experiences will lead to better safeguarding measures for future generations. The collective experiences shared indicate a widespread reckoning with past traumas and the desire for accountability regarding the actions of individuals in positions of power. The former students emphasize that their focus is not revenge but ensuring that no one else is subjected to such manipulation and abuse.

As the narrative continues, the conversations surrounding the former School of Rock students reflect a broader societal need to confront abuse and advocate for the protection of minors within educational settings. The legacy of Paul Green’s controversial tenure will likely serve as a cautionary tale for educational institutions moving forward.