About Westlake Music Academy
The Vision
James Flood opened the Westlake Music Academy on April 1st of 2019 bringing his 40 some guitar students with him. In just 4 years WMA has blossomed into a school of over 500 students with 30 teachers offering lessons in 10 different instruments.
James’ vision was to form a school of excellence, with teachers who are degreed musicians and experts each in their own respective instrument. But these teachers can’t just be good musicians. They have to be teachers. You can be an amazing musician with multiple degrees and yet be a very poor teacher. These musicians need to have a love and gift for teaching. And becoming a good teacher is the same as becoming a good musician. You have to practice at it and learn from others. So James wanted the teachers to learn from one another through meetings where the teachers would share ideas on how to become better teachers. All teachers at WMA meet twice monthly. We discuss different approaches, problem-solve for one another, and offer presentations. Learning from others is an essential part of growth.
Why We Do What We Do
Playing music is a skill within everyone’s reach, and learning to play an instrument well is a deeply satisfying experience. Playing and singing can also enrich others. Further it gives the player an even deeper appreciation of music. But it’s not just for “the now;” it’s a life-long gift. Musical skills are something that a person can take with them for the rest of their life. How many times have you heard a grown-up say, “I wish I had stuck with learning the piano when I was a kid!”
But learning an instrument has so many additional benefits outside of strictly music. Scientific studies have been duplicating the same results now for decades: those who learn an instrument do better academically. There’s something about learning music that challenges the brain and makes it more adept at other intellectual skills.
Also, the person who learns an instrument learns the valuable life lesson that if you work hard at something and persevere, you will get it! And gaining a meaningful skill brings so many personal benefits. People who learn an instrument learn to duplicate this principle in other areas of life well into adulthood— in their work, in their community, and at home.