Conductor Mélisse Brunet Sues University of Iowa School of Music for Gender-based Discrimination, Harassment, Unequal Pay

In Monday’s (2/12) Iowa City Press-Citizen, Clark Kauffman writes, “A former University of Iowa orchestra conductor is suing the school, alleging sexual harassment and discrimination. Mélisse Brunet’s lawsuit, filed in Polk County District Court, alleges gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and unequal pay violations of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Brunet was an orchestra conductor and an assistant professor at the University of Iowa’s School of Music until she resigned in May 2023. Before coming to the University of Iowa in August 2021 as the school’s first female director of orchestral activities, Brunet was the music director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic.” Brunet is also music director of Kentucky’s Lexington Philharmonic. “Brunet claims Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies Alan Huckleberry repeatedly made sexual overtures toward her while serving as her officially designated mentor…. Brunet allegedly complained about the conduct to the university’s ombudsman, the dean of liberal arts and sciences, human resources, the Title IX office, and the school’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. ‘Nothing was done to address Dr. Brunet’s concerns,’ the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit also alleges Brunet was underpaid when compared to her male counterparts … Chris Brewer, a university spokesman, said … ‘harassment of any kind is unacceptable, and the university takes every allegation seriously.’ ”