A 28-year-old Edmonton dance instructor is accused of sexually assaulting one of his female students.
Police say Oliver Nino Damaso, also known as "OJ" in the dancing community, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
Mounties reveal the 16-year-old female contacted them on March 6, 2010 to report that she had been sexually assaulted on April 18, 2009 by the then 27-year-old male at her parent's home in Sherwood Park.
"The male was the victim's dance instructor at the time, and taught her dance lessons at a studio in Edmonton," said Const. Wally Henry of the Strathcona County RCMP. "There is no evidence at this time to suggest there are other victims," he added.
The man's dancing won him a ticket to Toronto with So You Think You Can Dance, but was eliminated before making it to the final group.
The man was teaching at dance at a number of city businesses, including 3rd Street Beat Studios, a dance business that rented space at the Alberta Dance Facilities in downtown Edmonton on Sundays.
The studio's owner says as soon as police contacted him, Damaso was let go as an instructor.
"Obviously I was very shocked by it. As soon as I knew, we had him relieved of his position at 3rd Street Beat immediately. This is something we do not condone," 3rd Street Beat Studios owner Luke Geldert told CTV News.
The 28-year-old also taught hip-hop classes at Lecky School of Dancing. The owner of that business says Damaso left on good terms before facing charges.
Damaso is scheduled to appear in Sherwood Park Provincial Court on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
With files from David Ewasuk
