Music tutor who told 17-year-old pupil to strip to sing low notes charged

A music instructor convinced one of his students she would be able to reach lower octaves if she took her clothes off and performed sex acts on him while she sang. Former Tacoma Community College teacher Kevin Gausepohl, 37, will be in court next month to answer seven counts of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and one count of obstructing a law enforcement officer.

Gausepohl - who is also a worship leader at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church - allegedly told the student, 17, he was conducting a study on how sexual arousal affects vocal range. The Gig Harbor High School student was attending the college as part of the Running Start programme. Court records show the teen agreed to some of his requests - which included taking off her clothes and touching herself - and said his suggestions showed positive results.



Other students said Gausepohl approached them about the fictitious study but they declined. He resigned in October after an internal investigation was launched but insists he did nothing wrong. He wrote in a letter on October 14: 'I do not admit any guilt or liability in the matters currently under investigation. In fact, I vehemently deny all of the allegations that have been made against me.'

He claims his decision to resign was because his wife was ill rather than anything else, and that he wanted to spend his time caring for her. Gausepohl told outside investigators hired by the college that he was interested in how sexual arousal affects vocal range but had yet to get to the 'human participant level', according to a report produced by the agency.