Copyright smh
“There was a point [during my shift] where I was like, ‘I’m about to have a panic attack, I cannot be here’,” they say. ‘It’s like she [Horn] is the ‘it girl,’ you want to be a part of it, and then she’ll give each person a little bit of attention … you start to crave it.’Cassidy Commons, former ambassador and teacher WhatsApp messages obtained by this masthead reveal Horn’s communication with ambassadors. “In this role we dance for free here and in this role we love and care a lot for you,” she wrote. “I’ve had far too many people take advantage of this role and turn around and say they were burnt out without letting me know.” Commons questions how compensation could be provided in dance classes. A number of former ambassadors say Horn’s influence on the dance community has been widespread. There were promises of workshops from international choreographers, showcases and even a professional “Rock Queens” stage show. Commons was hired to be part of the show, with Instagram posts promoting the opportunity describing it as “lucrative and paid for aspiring performer”. “We learnt three routines and also did a photoshoot for advertising and marketing where we had to supply our own costumes,” she says. “After all this time, effort and work, we were completely ghosted. “The stage show was never mentioned again. No dancers or choreographers were paid for this time.” Horn was contacted for comment about the allegations, but did not reply by deadline. The fall of the empowerment dance studio A former teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, says they were saddened to hear how other people have been affected. “It was only OK to do well if we were under her or if we were branded KM,” they allege, referring to when the business was called KM Studios. Through numerous rebrands, studio and teacher changes, Horn always remained at the helm. But this changed last month. In a since-deleted statement posted to her Instagram, she wrote that she had decided to step away from The Scene to focus on herself and her family. Months earlier, she had posted: “What matters is that I keep showing up. I keep trying, learning, evolving.” Karina-Anne Green, who worked at the studio for five years as a teacher and manager, did not hold back in an Instagram video on October 24. “Countless women have walked through these doors and have walked away hurt, mentally, emotionally, disrespected because of the actions and treatment of the owner of this company Kristy Maree Horn,” she said in the video. She added she would no longer be affiliated with The Scene Creative Studios or Horn as of November 17. This masthead is not suggesting that Green’s allegations are true, only that they have been made. Behind the dance studio The Scene Creative Studios, formerly known as Sexual Heeling, KM Studios, KM Heels, Icon Creative Studios and in a recent development rebranded to IT Studios, has been a cornerstone of the Brisbane heels dance community since 2019. In a personal statement sent to a select few team members via WhatsApp, Horn said every decision to rebrand came from a place of growth, creativity and wanting to evolve – “never from dishonesty or bad intentions”. On October 24, in its first statement as Icon Creative Studios, the account owner wrote on social media that Horn was no longer affiliated with the organisation and did not have access to the social media account or any communications. Icon Creative Studios is registered with the Australian Business Register under Isobel Textor, a former content creator at The Scene. It’s been an active ABN since October 23. A new Instagram account has been launched under “IT Studios”, with the former account reverting to The Scene Creative Studios. For a few days, the account was also named STUD10. The Scene Creative Studios is still an active business, registered under Kristy Maree Horn’s name. The future of Brisbane’s dance studios After experiencing what she described as a toxic work environment, Commons decided to leave the company in May. “In all fairness, I shouldn’t be a teacher because I’m not qualified – I don’t have a certificate.” She says her experience has given her trust issues with other companies, and urges other people to be aware of their work rights. “Kristy was so big at the time,” she says. “Studios should only be hiring people who have studied, have industry experience and really know what they’re talking about.” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
