BREAKING: Dozens of former music teachers at Vivaldi Music Academy are claiming they are owed thousands in back wages following the academy’s sudden closure on October 12, 2023. The Houston-based music school, which had locations in Houston and San Antonio, announced its immediate shutdown, leaving teachers concerned they may never receive their owed pay.
Many instructors report being owed significant amounts, with some estimates ranging from $3,000 to as much as $30,000 per individual. Teachers have taken to social media, sharing their frustrations and forming chat groups to strategize on how to recover their funds. “There are approximately 50 to 75 teachers across Texas who are in the same situation,” said former teacher Mohammed Numan.
The closure follows months of rumors regarding delayed payments and financial instability within the academy, which had previously shut down its Bellaire and Memorial branches earlier this year. Students and parents received notification via phone calls that the academy would cease operations immediately, leaving many families scrambling for alternative music education options.
Rice University senior and former Vivaldi teacher Sam Rachleff expressed his dismay, stating, “(I’m owed) probably over $3,000, and there are plenty of other teachers who are owed a lot more than I am.” Another teacher reported that financial struggles have led some colleagues to face eviction and car repossession due to unpaid wages.
The academy’s founder, Zeljko Pavlovic, once celebrated for his inspiring refugee success story, has faced legal challenges in the past, including multiple civil suits for fraud and unpaid debts. Court records indicate he has been involved in lawsuits over a $2.6 million promissory note, further complicating the situation for the educators left unpaid.
In a statement released Friday evening, Pavlovic acknowledged the transition but assured that “every educator who contributed to this community will be treated with fairness, accuracy, and respect.” However, many teachers remain skeptical, expressing confusion over how quickly the academy’s situation deteriorated. “It was the dream job,” said former teacher Todd Blackmon. “I really tried to make it work, but something changed.”
With teachers sharing their experiences of financial hardship, the emotional toll is evident. “People are sold this promise of ‘I can teach, do what I love,'” Rachleff lamented, “and it all falls through because people aren’t getting paid.”
As the fallout continues from Vivaldi Music Academy’s abrupt closure, affected teachers are left wondering if they will ever see the wages they are owed. For updates on this developing story, follow local news outlets and continue to check in for further developments.
