A girl playing guitar and a boy sitting on a chair with a guitar in a living room with sunlight, a brick fireplace, and large windows.

in-home, private music lessons.

At the heart of what we do are

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And when you take lessons with us, you also gain access to incredible opportunities: performing with top-notch equipment, collaborating with talented musicians, participating in master classes, and joining inspiring summer camps.

We love giving our students the chance to shine!

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We create unmatched opportunities for students to build confidence, collaborate, and share their music with the community

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Annual Concerts & Events:

Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands
POPS Concert

POPS Concert
Recitals (Fall & Spring)

Recitals (Fall & Spring)
Summer Sounds

Summer Sounds

Beyond our Annual Concerts, we have exciting pop-up events throughout the year that our students get to join:

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  • A man with blonde hair is playing a drum set with multiple cymbals, drums, and microphones in a recording studio. He appears to be singing or speaking into a microphone.

    Master Classes: We hire experts to offer exclusive educational opportunities. This is Greg Bissonette, drummer for Ringo Starr, teaching our students!

  • Musicians performing on stage at Westlake Music Academy, with colorful stage lighting and a large screen displaying the academy's logo.

    All Star Band: We select some students to join our All Star Band. They play local events throughout our area!

  • Black and white photo of a woman singing into a microphone, eyes closed, smiling, with stage lights in the background.

    Second Saturdays: We host artist showcases once a month at local businesses. This is a great opportunity for artists to shine.

  • Four young women standing close together on a wooden floor, in front of black curtains, inside a room with potted plants. They are smiling and pose for the photo.

    Broadway Review: We put on special classes and events for our Musical Theater enthusiasts, including acting and singing in iconic theatrical scenes.

Our MUSIC

Philosophy

At Westlake Music Academy, MUSIC isn’t just what we teach—it’s who we are. Behind every lesson is a promise to live by five guiding values: More Than a Job, Undeniably Personable, Student-Centric, Integrity, and Client Satisfaction.

We believe teaching is a calling, music thrives in community, and every student’s journey is unique. We meet students where they are, honor trust, and put families first—creating lessons that inspire, connections that last, and experiences that matter.

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  • A young man and woman sitting in a sunlit room, playing acoustic and electric guitars together.

    More than a Job

    Teaching is our passion.
    Every lesson matters because every lesson shapes a life. We invest deeply in students, inspiring growth, performance, and lifelong love of music.

  • A man and young boy sitting at a black piano, looking at sheet music, in a modern living room with a large TV on a wooden stand.

    Undeniably Personable

    No one gets anywhere alone.
    Music thrives in community. We build connection through concerts, recitals, masterclasses, and shared experiences—bringing students and teachers together.

  • A young woman playing an electric guitar on stage with a female drummer in the background, illuminated by blue lights.

    Student-Centric

    Meet students where they are.
    Every student’s journey is unique. We honor their voice, blend structure with what they love, and turn challenges into exciting learning opportunities.

  • Two women smiling at an event, with a woman holding a bouquet of flowers on the left and people setting up on the stage in the background.

    Integrity

    Trust is our foundation.
    We honor commitments, are honest about finances, value clear communication, and maintain professional boundaries—because families entrust us with something precious: their child’s musical education.

  • A young man passionately singing into a microphone on stage with three children behind him, all under blue stage lighting.

    Client Satisfacation

    Creating moments that matter.
    From private lessons, to scheduling, to concerts, we put kindness, clarity, and excellence first—making every interaction a positive experience for families and students alike.

  • A woman and a girl playing violins in a bright living room with large windows, a black couch, and sheet music.

    At Westlake Music Academy,

    MUSIC is more than an acronym—it’s our promise. We make music together, and we make a difference.

A happy family of three, a father, mother, and young daughter, smiling and sitting on a wooden dock by the beach with the ocean in the background.

Our Story

Hi, we’re Marcus and Christy Klotz—musicians, teachers, and the proud founders of Westlake Music Academy. Music has been at the heart of our story from the very beginning. We met while studying at Pepperdine University, fell in love (with music and each other!), and soon put down roots here in the Conejo Valley.

Westlake Music Academy began in the fall of 2021, when the demand for lessons outgrew what we could offer on our own. By January 2022, we started building something bigger—a community of passionate, dedicated teachers who share our vision for modern, inspiring music education. Since then, we’ve doubled in size every year, and as of October 2025, we’re proud to serve over 450 active students with a team of 40 incredible teachers.

Together, we’ve created more than a music school—we’ve built a place where students of all ages can grow, perform, and connect. Our teachers go above and beyond to make every lesson meaningful, engaging, and fun, because we truly believe that every lesson shapes a life.

Marcus holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Pepperdine and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from CSU Long Beach. Christy earned her B.A. in Advertising and Music at Pepperdine as well as her M.S. in Christian Ministry. But beyond degrees and credentials, what drives us most is creating a space where students and families feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to make music.

At Westlake Music Academy, lessons are more than just classes—they’re experiences and memories that last a lifetime. We’re so glad you’re here to be part of our growing musical family.