Former Seat of Wisdom teacher charged with sexual assault

Multiple news sources including the Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Sun and Global News have reported that acclaimed choral director, Maestro Uwe Lieflander, has been charged with sexual assault. The charges relate to incidents alleged to have occurred in Ottawa in 2016 and 2017. Lieflander is now believed to be in his native Germany and will be arrested if he attempts to enter Canada. Click HERE to read the Ottawa Citizen story.

Lieflander will be familiar to Valley residents as from 2007 to 2017 he held the position of Assistant Professor, Music, at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy prior to it becoming Seat of Wisdom College (SWC). In that capacity, he led SWC’s Ecclesiastical Schola, taught various music classes, and provided private tuition in voice, piano and organ as the school music teacher.

He was also the founder of the Sparrows Choir School program started in 1999 which was active in Canada. During the period he taught at SWC, Lieflander presented a delegation to Madawaska Valley Council seeking financial support for a Sparrows music program in the Valley.

Media sources report that speaking on behalf of SWC, President Keith Cassidy said on January 25 that the College was not aware of any complaints about Lieflander’s conduct during his time at SWC.

Investigators say they are concerned there may be more victims. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Ottawa Police Service’s tip line at 613-236-1222 ext. 5760.

 

Featured photo: Lieflander leads the Port Perry Sparrows, The Catholic Register, Jean Ko Din (August 2016)

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