Welcome to the
WMA Family!
At Westlake Music Academy, our values guide everything we do. The Pillars of Trust and our MUSIC Philosophy define who we are, how we teach, and how we connect—with students, families, and each other. They are the foundation of our culture and the key to making WMA more than a music school—it’s a community where music shapes lives.
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. We could bore you with a list of our credentials, but we’ve already listed them in our teacher bios if you’re curious.
We dipped our toes into beginning this school in the Fall of 2021, and really began building in January of 2022. Since our beginning, we have doubled in size every single year. As of October 2025, we have 450 active students and 40 active teachers. You are a part of something growing and exciting when you work here!
Westlake Music Academy was born when the demand for our teaching services outgrew our capacity to teach. With many students to serve, we began building a team of passionate, dedicated teachers who share our vision: modern music education, engaged community, and lasting impact. Together, we have created more than a school—we’ve built a thriving community.
At Westlake Music Academy, we believe teaching is a calling, and every lesson is an opportunity to shape a life. As part of our team, you are not only an instructor or administrator—you are a mentor, a collaborator, and a valued part of something bigger.
PILLARS OF TRUST
At Westlake Music Academy, we believe trust is the foundation of every successful relationship—both internally (amongst teachers and staff) and externally (client-facing). Where there is trust, there is peace, respect, and teamwork. All teachers and administrators are expected to uphold the following three pillars of trust in every aspect of their work:
Integrity
Integrity is the first and most important pillar. It means we don’t lie, cheat, or steal. Above all, it means we care for our students and always maintain appropriate emotional and physical boundaries. We operate with a clear moral compass that guides every action. We are honest about our time and trustworthy in our client-relations. Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
Reliability
The second pillar is reliability. This means that we follow through on what we say. If we say we’re going to be somewhere, we show up. If we say we’re going to do something, we do it. It means we show up on time to lessons, meetings, and performances. It means we follow through with students and parents in a very timely manner, and with consistent and clear communication. It means once we’ve passed the ball to you, we can rely on you to run it. Reliability builds confidence within the team; a lack of it undermines trust.
Competency
The third pillar is competency. Competence means doing our work well. Teachers are trusted to not only know their instruments but to teach them effectively. For administration, it means handling tasks with care, initiative, and professionalism. Competence inspires confidence and ensures that our standards remain high across everything we do.
Our MUSIC Philosophy
Our values come together under the acronym MUSIC: More Than a Job, Undeniably Personable, Student-Centric, Integrity, and Client Satisfaction. By living these values every day, we create an environment where students thrive, families feel cared for, and staff are proud to be part of something meaningful. No one gets anywhere alone. At Westlake Music Academy, we get there together.
More than a job -
At Westlake Music Academy, teaching is more than a job—it is a calling. We are not simply musicians earning extra income; we are educators devoted to shaping lives through music. Teaching is a noble profession, and pedagogy is an honorable art form that flourishes under care, creativity, and commitment.
Each lesson carries significance, and every interaction with a student has the potential to leave a lasting impact. Our teachers understand that their students will remember them—and the experiences they create—for years to come.
As members of the Westlake Music Academy team, instructors are expected to continually increase their skills as performers and also as educators. We bring our best to every lesson: fresh repertoire and personalized methods for each student’s needs.
Undeniably personable -
We believe that music is best created together. While musicians often face the temptation to work in isolation, we know that the most magical musical moments happen in community. Whether as teachers, administrators, or students, we reject the idea of a solo hero’s journey. No one gets anywhere alone — the greatest joy comes from collaboration, connection, and shared experience.
This is why we place a high value on fostering connection among our teachers, encouraging participation in concerts, recitals, and other events. These gatherings are opportunities to strengthen our sense of community and celebrate the art of music together. Growth and joy come from engagement, and the students and teachers who thrive most are those who actively participate as part of the team.
We present concert opportunities as invitations rather than questions, knowing that they are part of the foundation of what we do: “The next concert is on [date], and I think you should perform [piece]. Let’s pull it out and start working on it.” We never say to a student, “You’re not ready for a concert.” Instead, we ask, “How about we perform this piece together?”
As members of the Westlake Music Academy team, instructors are expected to actively participate in the full scope of our community. This includes attending concerts, supporting student performances, and encouraging students to take part in camps and special programs. We are not singularly focused on week-to-week lessons; rather, we are united by a shared excitement to be part of something greater than ourselves.
Student-centric -
We believe students learn best when they feel excited and engaged in their education. When students have a voice in the learning process, they are more motivated to practice, participate, and grow. Our teaching approach balances structure with flexibility: while we maintain clear learning outcomes and skill development goals, we also honor the genres and styles that inspire each student.
Our philosophy can be summed up as “giving them the vegetables with the dessert.” We meet students where they are, incorporating the music and genres they love while introducing the technical and theoretical skills they need. If a student brings in a piece that seems challenging, we do not dismiss it as “too hard”. Instead, we find a way to make it accessible—perhaps by focusing on a single measure for piano, a short lick for guitar, or one verse for voice.
We believe that curiosity and enjoyment are essential to lasting progress. Teachers are encouraged to ask questions such as, “What would you be excited to learn?” and “What music are you listening to?” while also guiding students through proper technique, musicianship, and foundational skills. A student-centric approach requires awareness, balance, and discernment—knowing when to challenge and when to encourage, when to push forward and when to simply let students discover their love of music.
Integrity -
At Westlake Music Academy, integrity is at the heart of who we are and forms the foundation of our three pillars of trust: Integrity, Reliability, and Competence. We believe that every healthy relationship—especially in the workplace—depends on honesty, accountability, and ethical behavior. As a business built on trust, we rely on every team member to uphold these values in their daily work.
Integrity begins with honesty and transparency. Staff are expected to maintain accurate records of student attendance, communicate truthfully, and honor their contractual agreements with WMA. This includes not teaching any current or former WMA students outside of the academy and ensuring that all referrals and new student inquiries are processed through the company. These practices preserve our reputation and ensure the excellence of our programs.
Integrity also extends to reliability—following through on commitments, maintaining timely and professional communication with clients, and consistently representing Westlake Music Academy with respect. It includes competence—performing all duties to a high professional standard and continually striving to improve as educators and team members.
Above all, integrity means being trustworthy with our students and their families. Parents place great trust in us to teach and guide their children, and we take that responsibility seriously. We maintain appropriate emotional boundaries and never cross physical boundaries under any circumstances. Our commitment to integrity, reliability, and competence ensures that Westlake Music Academy remains a place where students, families, and staff feel safe, valued, and respected.
Client Satisfaction -
While students may not remember every note they have learned, they (and their parents) will remember how they felt being part of WMA. That experience matters deeply. When it comes to scheduling, billing, concerts, and all interactions, we put the satisfaction of our clients first. We approach every situation with grace, recognizing that we too benefit from patience and understanding.
We encourage a service-oriented mindset: asking, “How can I bless this family?” This means showing kindness, offering generosity, and seeking to provide an excellent overall experience.
The little things matter—from our attitude and professionalism to the quality of instruction and the grace we extend. By prioritizing client satisfaction, we strengthen relationships, and ensure that families feel valued as part of our WMA community.
PRACTICAL EXPECTATIONS FOR TEACHERS (Summarized):
Keeping accurate attendance of your lessons the day they occur - This is how clients get billed, and how you get paid. It is not an option to be behind or inaccurate on this!
When we connect you with a client, make contact with them within that same day and follow up. Making the initial lesson time takes the most work, because clients are often unsure until they have experienced the true gift it is to have a music lesson! More details on this in the Teacher Policy Packet.
Once a month, on the first Tuesday of each month, attend a Zoom meeting for 30 minutes (12:30-1P). This is key to keeping us all on the same page and avoiding confusion!
Your students participate in concerts and events, and you attend them to support.
There are more expectations than just these, but we wanted to highlight some of the most important elements.
See the Teacher Policy Packet for more details of expectations. If you are brand new, you will need to download, sign it, and send it back to us.
For reference, here is the Student Policy Sheet.
