Learn About the Westlake Music Academy Difference
and why it’s the fastest growing music school in all of metropolitan Cleveland
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 and many have decades of teaching experience. Learn more about our Faculty here.
WE WELCOME STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELs
We welcome ALL, 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. WMA 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 because children 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. But teaching a complete beginner in many ways demands more teaching skills than teaching intermediate and advanced level students who already know the basics. The beginner needs someone who truly understands the instrument and the importance of starting the student off on the right path. Beginners who take lessons with a non-expert will likely develop bad habits, and bad habits are hard to unlearn. Learn more about our teaching philosophy here.
Achievements of Westlake Music Academy Students:
Mikey won First Prize at the 2024 Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, performing in Sheldonian Theatre at the University of Oxford. He also won First Prize in the Age 12 Piano Category of the 2025 Charleston International Piano Competition. His teacher is Dr. Halida Dinova.
Kateri won 3rd Place in the National Association of Teachers of Singer Ohio Chapter Auditions Upper High School Commercial Music Category. Her teacher is Mary Wiker.
Adam was a winner in the Golden Key International Music Festival in 2024. He performed at Ehrbar Saal and Mozarthaus. His teacher is Dr. Halida Dinova.
Summer was cast as the lead, Elle Woods, in Legally Blonde at Near West Theatre. Her teacher is Albert Donze.
Accepted into music programs at Boston University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music, Cleveland State University, and Ohio University
Accepted into The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and The Contemporary Youth Orchestra
Accepted into The Blossom Festival Chorus, The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, the OMEA All-State Choir, and the Singers’ Club of Cleveland
Cast in roles in musical productions at Near West Theatre, Broadview Heights Spotlights, Cuyahoga Community College, St. Joseph Academy, St. Ignatius High School, and more
Accepted into student orchestras including Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, Avon Electric Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra at Fairview Park High School and Middle School, Chamber Orchestra at Westlake High School, and Camerata Orchestra
Accepted into the Baldwin Wallace summer camp and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Won Best Solo and Ensemble Performer at Fairview Park Middle School
Westlake Music Academy was the winner of
Cleveland Magazine’s Best of the West 2020: Music Instruction and
Lessons.com Best Piano Lessons in Lakewood 2024
