Investigators are searching for additional potential victims after a British Columbia dance teacher and tap dancer was arrested earlier this month on five counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation.
Details of the Charges
Nigel Brock Jellison, who goes by Brock Jellison professionally and has an extensive resume in dance, is facing the charges in relation to offences that allegedly occurred between 2006 and 2011 and involved four victims. All four victims were underage at the time of the alleged offences, and a publication ban protects their identities.
According to White Rock RCMP, the investigation began after an individual came forward in 2021 to report a historical sexual assault involving a dance teacher and a student at a local White Rock dance studio. Investigators who looked into the report later identified more victims, all of whom were connected to Jellison through studios where he taught.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
After the charges were approved in February, police located Jellison in Alberta and arrested him on April 15 in Magrath, a town 38 kilometres south of Lethbridge. "Based on the investigation, it is believed that more recently Jellison was teaching in Alberta," said police in a statement. The name of Jellison's most recent studio is not being identified "to avoid any unintended impact on current studio operations," according to police.
White Rock RCMP Staff Sgt. Rob Dixon urged people to come forward with information: "We believe there may be people within our community who were taught by Brock Jellison or attended the local dance studio who have information and have not yet spoken with police."
Background of the Accused
According to past media coverage, Jellison was born and raised in Fort St. John, where his mother ran a dance studio. The 45-year-old had co-choreographed dance segments for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and performed as a lead tap soloist alongside Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac. He was an associate choreographer for Theatre Calgary's Billy Elliot and a former principal dancer of Tap Dogs. Online, he remains listed as being a part of Team Canada Dance's Dancer Hall of Fame. In years past, he has performed at the Calgary Stampede as part of the Grandstand Show Barnburner production.
Anyone with information is asked to contact White Rock RCMP at 778-545-4800.
