Learn About the Westlake Music Academy

Difference

and why it’s the fastest growing music school in all of metropolitan Cleveland

 

Call Now (440) 558-6876

One of the Most Highly-Qualified Music Faculties in Metropolitan Cleveland

 

At WMA, each teacher has at least a bachelor’s degree in the instrument they teach, as this demonstrates that they have devoted serious study to their instrument and to music in general. The majority of our teachers, however, hold advanced degrees in their instrument. Many of our teachers have decades of teaching experience. Learn more about our Faculty here


WE WELCOME STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELs

We welcome all those interested in taking up an instrument, from young children to adults of all ages (20% of our students are adults). We understand that people have a variety of goals. Some are highly-driven, while others have very modest goals. Some have never picked up an instrument in their entire life, while others are advanced and have been playing for years. Westlake Music Academy welcomes all! Learn more about lessons for children here and lessons for adults here

 

Parents Are Welcome and Encouraged to Sit In On Lessons

 

While the majority of local music schools discourage parents from attending their child’s lessons, Westlake Music Academy is the opposite. We highly encourage it! WMA believes in the value of a parent’s presence at lessons. Children typically do better with learning an instrument and stick with lessons longer if one or both parents are “in the loop.” The parent has a much better appreciation of the process of learning an instrument, as well as what is supposed to be happening at home with practice. 


Unlike Most Local Music Schools, WMA Does Not Engage in “Crossover Teaching”

Most local music schools employ “crossover teaching.” Crossover teaching is when a musician’s area of expertise is in a certain instrument, say, guitar — but this guitar teacher took voice lessons at one time, and also knows a little piano, so they magically become a voice teacher and a “beginning piano” teacher! To actually teach an instrument well, including to beginners, a teacher must have an intimate understanding of the instrument coming from years of study and training.* Learn more about our teaching philosophy here.

 

We Believe Beginners Need the Best!

 

Local music schools often pass beginning students off to lesser qualified teachers, oftentimes somebody who’s doing “crossover teaching.” But teaching a complete beginner in many ways demands more teaching skills than teaching intermediate and advanced level students who already know the basics of the instrument. The beginner needs someone who truly understands the instrument and appreciates the importance of starting off the student on the right path. Beginners who take lessons with a non-expert will likely develop bad habits, and bad habits are difficult to unlearn. Learn more about our teaching philosophy here.


Cleveland Magazine
WINNER OF BEST IN THE WEST 2020: Music Instruction

 
Westlake Music Academy is the winner of Cleveland Magazine's Best in the West 2020 in the Music Instruction category. We teach music to students from Cleveland and the surrounding areas.