Current and former students allege professional and sexual misconduct, grooming
Content Warning: The content in this story many be upsetting to some members of our audiences, as it includes references to sexual harassment, grooming, and other misconduct.
Charles Amon Eady, director of choral services at Central Michigan University, did not return to campus for the 2026-27 year as result of an ongoing investigation.
According to personnel records obtainedd administrative leave effectiveAug. 25, until further notice. The document does not provide a specific reason for the order, only detailing that the leave period involves a pending investigation
In a written account submitted to the university that was later shared withCentral Michigan Life, Nykkoa Lurie, an alumnus of CMU’s choral conducting master’s program and longtime student of Eady’s, said they and many others have been harmed by his conduct.
“He (Eady) is an abuser, a manipulator, a bully, and a liar,” Lurie wrote. “In speaking with multiple students from both CMU and from his time as a junior high and high school choir director, it has been revealed to me that there is a long string of victims.”
CM Life attempted to reach Eadyswered, asking to push an opportunity to give comment back by an hour. When called later, Eady sent CM Life to voicemail twice
When asked for comment on the investigation, Ari Harris, a CMU spokesperson said “the university does not comment on personnel matters.”
Lurie was first introduced to Eady at the age of 13, when living in Memphis, Tennessee. He served as their director of choirs while attending White Station Middle SchoolandWhite Station High School.
In their letter, Lurie described themself as a “vulnerable student,” due to prior lived experiences involving abuse and neglect. That vulnerability, they wrote, was “taken advantage of and exploited.”
Eady, they said, intentionally created a hostile environment in the classroom that pitted students against each other and led them to vie for his attention and favor. He also had a tendency to be physically violent and aggressive with students, Lurie added.
“He was everyone’s confidant, and for every student, it was them and him against the world,” Lurie said in their written account.
“Amon fashions himself as someone who ‘provides opportunities to those who wouldn’t otherwise get them,’ and thus feels like everyone is indebted to him.”
They wrote that throughout their time in high school, Eady made unwanted advances toward them and engaged in other inappropriate verbal and physical behaviors.
“He would talk to me about sex, about students who were having sex, and would ask me for massages of his hands and his head, neck, and shoulders,” they wrote. “I was a student eager to prove I was different and special from other girls, and complied. He smacked my butt on a few occasions, and grabbed my thigh while seated beside him on a choir trip in high school.
“He talked to me about how we had a sexual energy, and that it would only be natural if we were to develop a sexual relationship. When I seemed unreceptive to that conversation, he eased up on most of the overtly sexual behaviors. There were multiple times I would be late to my classes because he would ask me to massage him until after the tardy bell rang, and many times when, in his car alone with him, he would talk to me or touch me inappropriately.”
In an interview with CM Life, Lurie said they feels grooming fits the bill when it comes to defining their relationship with Eady.
“I definitely had been groomed in the way that pushed past the professional boundary for teacher and student in order to gain some kind of, like, power worm and, you know, manipulate,” Lurie said.
As defined by theRape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States, grooming refers to when someone deliberately builds trust with a child, teen or vulnerable adult in order to later exploit them. The process of grooming often originates in friendship, mentorship, or kindness that escalates into manipulation, control and sexual abuse or assault.
After Lurie graduated high school, the pair kept in touch and continued their relationship.
Lurie chose to pursue their bachelor’s degree at theUniversity of Southern Mississippi, Eady’s alma matter. When their senior class graduated, Eady moved on from Memphis toTallahassee, Florida, where he received his doctoral degree fromFlorida State University.
Once they had completed their bachelor’s in2019, Lurie said they knew they wanted to follow Eady to wherever he landed upon the completion of his doctorate.
After spending time as an elementary school music teacher in Mississippi post-graduation, Lurie moved their life to Mount Pleasant to study under Eady once again.
In 2017, Eady was hired as Interim Director of Choirs to replace Dr. Nina Nash-Robertson. He began his career at CMU as a fixed term faculty with a nine-month contract.
May 11, 2017 – Receives letter of appointment
Eady was appointed as a full-time lecturer at the School of Music. According to his appointment letter, Eady was granted an annual salary of $49,500 and additional benefits.
Aug. 21, 2017 – Begins employment at CMU
Eady starts his employment as a Lecturer I, according to the university’s 2017 hiring documentation.
March 16, 2018 – Moves into tenure-track position
Receives a Letter of Appointment signed by Michael A. Gealt, the Executive Vice President and Provost at the time, for an Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities in the School of Music. Eady’s academic year base salary was $63,000.
Aug. 15, 2018 – Officially begins as Director of Choral Activities
Noted as the effective date of new appointment, according to the Hiring Proposal.
March 18, 2019 – Tenure progress discussed
A letter from Associate Dean Andrew Spencer discussed Eady’s progress towards tenure.
Dec. 5, 2019 – Reappointment
Eady received a reappointment letter covering the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years.
Nov. 20, 2020 – Meeting about student concerns
According to a letter obtained through a FOIA request dated Jan. 4, 2021, from Betty Kirby, then interim dean of the College of the Arts and Media, Kirby met with Eady on Nov. 20, 2020, to discuss concerns raised by four students.
Kirby outlined concerns from students about perceived differences in how male and female students were treated, Eady’s classroom behavior and interactions students believed crossed professional boundaries.
According to the letter, students described feeling that females were treated differently than male students. Kirby also writes that students expressed concerns about the class environment and Eady’s “short temper” referring to times where he screamed and yelled.
It is further written that students questioned Eady’s professionalism and mentioned to Kirby that students had babysat his children and shared drinks with him.
Kirby then refers to her meeting with Eady where she says he disputed some of the accounts.
“During our meeting you acknowledged that what the students had reported was inaccurate and that you did not feel that you treated male and female students differently,” Kirby wrote. “You also did not perceive that you yell or scream at students…but noted that expectations are higher at this level and the program is more demanding.”
Kirby emphasized that students’ perceptions should be taken seriously and outlined expectations for professional boundaries and fair treatment.
“As we discussed, the perception of students cannot be ignored,” Kirby wrote. “The students were very fearful about coming forward with their concerns and also sought out a music faculty member to discuss their concerns. While you say the students’ perceptions are inaccurate, you must understand that these perceptions are very real to the students.”
She further warned that continued concerns could result in disciplinary action.
The 2021 reappointment review highlights strong support for Eady’s continued appointment from department leadership and the dean. This process is routine for the tenure-track. Department Chair Eric Hoy Tucker and Kirby praised his teaching, conducting, recruitment efforts, scholarly work and university service. Kirby described his work as “exemplary” across all areas of evaluation and recommended reappointment.
Eady was further unanimously recommended for reappointment in October 2022, citing his teaching effectiveness, student enrollment, concert programming and contributions to the music education program.
The provost later approved his reappointment for the 2023-24 academic year, citing positive potential for continued teaching excellence, scholarly and creative activity, service and professional development.
Eady received reappointment letters on Dec. 2, 2020, and Dec. 15, 2021, covering the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years.
Jan. 6, 2023 – Reappointment
Eady received a reappointment letter covering the 2024-25 academic year.
April 14, 2023 – Approval for Graduate Faculty Status
A Graduate Faculty Status Form approved by Tucker granted Eady status to teach 500-level courses and serve on a thesis/dissertation committee.
Feb. 6, 2024 – Recommendation for tenure and promotion approved
In a letter signed by Robert Davies, previous president of CMU, Eady was congratulated on achieving a promotion to the rank of Associate Professor.
Aug. 25, 2026 – Eady placed on leave
A notice of employee relation actions document states that Eady is placed on paid administrative leave pending investigation.
As Lurie arrived on campus in thefall of 2022, they were quickly taken back under Eady’s wing.
Despite not holding a formal graduate assistantship, Lurie said the choir director passed on many of his professional responsibilities to them.
They said they accepted the workload because Eady told them the experience, along with a recommendation from him, would help their professional career.
Lurie said they were “constantly tasked” with communicating with studentsng away music and running rehearsals so that Eady could focus on his tenure process
Because they were taking on so many professional responsibilities, Lurie said they were discouraged by Eady from fraternizing with undergraduate students.
“There wasn’t anything on paper that was barring me from doing it, but I was a graduate student,” they explained in an interview. “I didn’t have an assistantship, but it was strongly advised to me that I do not hang out or spend time with or befriend any of the undergrads.”
When moving to Michigan, Lurie left their husband and family behind, leaving them to fend for themself in a new community.
“I did not have a lot of confidence in like or self-efficacy as a student, and that wasn’t supported in any way,” Lurie said.
In thesecondyear of their program, Lurie said Eady invited them to move out of the graduate apartments and into his basement when a prior tenant left. They accepted.
Lurie said in their account that the decision was largely influenced by the growing sense of isolation they felt during a rough transition from being with their family to an unfamiliar roommate and residence. They were the sole student in their master’s program.
“Living so far away from home with my only connection being Amon, I was isolated and alone, and because there was no graduate cohort, I struggled to make connections on campus,” Lurie wrote.
“While living in his apartment, he instructed me to never tell anyone that I lived there, and to lie to students and even faculty about where I lived because he could get in trouble. He mentioned that years before I enrolled, he had some trouble with a group of female students that he used to ask to babysit for him, and that he was accused of favoritism, and was told he needed to not have students babysit for him and to ‘not even think about renting that apartment downstairs to any students.'”
Lurie said the environment Eady cultivated in his choirs at CMU was similar to what they experienced as a teenager. He sowed dissension among students, they said, so he could further isolate them from their peers.
While working under Eady, Lurie said they often heard Eady use derogatory remarks, including some slurs, when talking about students.
“If you were talking one on one to Dr. Eady, he would be talking very badly about all the other students,” they said.
“A compliment was always backed up with a jab against someone else.”
In some cases, they were told by Eady to avoid talking with students he had a gripe with.
Others also came forward.
Michael Goto, afourth-year vocal performance major, told CM Life he developed a rapport with Eady when he attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Campas a high schooler. It was Eady who recruited him to CMU. Upon admission, Goto received a scholarship from the music program, something he believes is attributable to Eady.
In hisfreshmanyear, Goto said he quickly was placed in theChamber Singers, CMU’s highest choral ensemble,despite personal doubts of whether he deserved it in comparison to older students.
“I think that was an example of favoritism,” Goto said. “I think that it’s absolutely rare.”
Goto said Eady placed a sense of pressure on him to fill the roles of another star pupil, and on a few occasions, offered him solos without allowing other students a chance to audition.
He also raised concerns about Eady’s hostility toward students, which he observed escalating over the course of several years.
“Throughout the semesters, following my sophomore year, he would get very frequently angry at the tenors and basses, primarily the basses and baritones,” Goto said.
When the choir was not meeting his expectations, Goto said, Eady would often yell at students individually and in groups. As the behavior continued, Goto said he would experience physical symptoms of stress and anxiety from fear of being on the receiving end of Eady’s aggression.
Goto echoed Lurie’s sentiment, stating that he too thinks Eady intentionally created divides among students.
“This past summer, I’d wanted to quit chamber singers,” Goto said. “I’d felt tense, done with the environment. We were not working as a team. None of our colleagues worked with each other, none of our colleagues smiled with each other, really. Unless you are in the same vocal studio, odds are you didn’t hang out with these people.”
Lurie ceased all contact with Eady inApril.
“After my school year ended, I began wondering about what other victims he might have, and began reaching out to people and asking questions,” Lurie wrote in their account.
A few months later, Eady was removed from his position as director of music forSt. John’s Episcopal Church inMidland.Students from CMU’s choral program, including Goto and Lurie, often sing at the parish.
The removal was announced to parishioners in an email fromReverand Alissa Anderson.
“This decision was made after prayerful discernment and in consultation with the co-wardens, and the vestry has been informed,” Anderson’s email reads. “I recognize that times of transition naturally bring questions, and I appreciate your respect for the privacy of those involved as we move forward together.”
For Goto, the removal affirmed what he had experienced.
“Immediately, I was like ‘okay so this means this is all true,’ Goto said. “This means that I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy in my notion that he has been hostile, he has hurt students.”
Lurie approached university officials on Aug. 14on behalf of a larger group to express concerns with Eady’s behavior before and during his time at CMU.
“When I was a student in high school, the environment looked and felt a certain way, and there were always rumors, obligations, accusations,” Lurie said. “And then it was like ‘well, no, that’s not true, that’s not true.’ And then in 2026, come to find out, those things were true all along.”
Lurie presented officials with a collection of evidence they said supports their claims, which were subsequently obtained and reviewed by CM Life.
The file handed over to CMU includedsix letters detailing first-hand accounts of Eady’s alleged impropriety from Lurie, Goto, a past colleague and current and former students.
Additionally, Lurie presented a petition calling for Eady’s removal, which was signed by48students, alumni, parents, colleagues and community members impacted by the alleged misconduct.
The petition reads, in part, “…the actions of Dr. Charles Amon Eady have severely disrupted students’ ability to work safely, respectfully, and productively. The continued employment of Dr. Charles Amon Eady will negatively impact the university’s reputation and legacy, and will risk the enrollment of prospective students.”
The petition’s language states that Eady had consistently engaged in:
- Sexual misconduct toward students
- Verbal and physical hostility towards students
- Violating educator/pupil boundaries
- Favoritism and preferential treatment towards students in the program, particularly those falling within specific racial and gender demographics
- Creating a hostile environment intended to create division among students
“There was smoke this way in high school, and we all thought there was no fire, come to find out there was fire,” Lurie said. “There’s smoke at CMU in a very similar way.”
Twelve daysafter Lurie met with university officials, students within theSchool of Musicwere notified of Eady’s leave in a welcome back email fromDr. Robert Lindahl, director of the SoM.
OnAug. 28, students received an email from Dr. Keith Clifton, assistant director of the SoM,which included announcements, reminders and other updates before touching on growing uncertainty surrounding Eady’s absence.
“I know many of you are understandably concerned about the situation with Dr. Eady,” Clifton wrote. “Because his leave represents a university matter, I cannot and will not comment on the situation only to say that his administrative leave currently extends through the fall semester. Any further details will come from Dr. Lindahl and/or myself when they are available.”
“I think that he should be removed from all positions of power,” Goto said. “And I think that there should be a sincere reflection from the university on this part.”
Rebuilding community, moving forward
Eady’s vacancy has been temporarily filled by Dr. Will Chandler, a fixed-term SoM faculty member under whose direction, Goto said, the choral program has thrived.
Goto touted Chandler’s success on an academic level, but said the biggest difference is the increase in camaraderie among students.
“I’ve seen the ensemble laugh,” Goto said. “I’ve seen the ensemble literally release tension from their bodies. The difference is day and night.”
For Lurie, moving forward means healing, and emphasizing prevention in educational settings. They currently serve as a music educator in Gladwin.
“I really, really wish that there would be a lot more training and understanding about grooming and the negative psychological effects that it causes on students, and how it impacts their educational experience when it’s done,” Lurie said.
“That is not a situation I want anyone else to have to experience,” they added.
This is a developing story. Follow along at cm-life.com for more updates.
