TEACHERS

OUR TEACHERS ARE EDUCATED, PERSONABLE, AND ACCOMPLISHED PERFORMERS

Each Teacher is Hand Selected to Provide Top Quality Education

“Both of my children have been taking voice and piano lessons with WMA for almost a year. Marcus and Christy and the entire staff are amazing with my kids. I've seen a higher level of confidence when they perform and genuinely enjoy participating in the concerts. Their rates are reasonable and they are so flexible when schedule conflicts arise. I highly recommend them”

— Candy J.

“Marcus and Christy are amazing. I have seen my daughter grow and get stronger as a singer. The talent of the teachers is amazing. We love the concerts, and shows the kids put on. This is where you would want your kids at if they are looking to grow in music.”

— K D.

“I have wanted to take drum lessons since I was a little kid. Marcus Klotz was vital in teaching me many different styles of drumming and helping me become confident in my playing. Definitely recommend Westlake Music Academy for anyone interested in learning an instrument!”

— Angela E.

Meet your Instructor

Marcus Klotz

Founder

Voice, Drums, Piano, Guitar

Marcus Klotz is a singer, music educator, and conductor. He has been teaching private music lessons for 10 years. Many of his students have gone on to pursue music full-time and have had much success. He has recently served as faculty at Pepperdine University, teaching and conducting the Concert Choir. Formerly, Klotz served as a faculty member of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach where he directed the university’s treble chorus Bel Canto, and served as the assistant conductor of the Bob Cole Chamber Choir.

Klotz holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from CSU Long Beach and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Pepperdine University. He currently serves as the choir director & worship leader at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village and as a Professor of Voice at Moorpark College. In addition, he performs regularly with the LA Master Chorale in prestigious concert spaces such as the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Christy Klotz

Founder
Voice, Piano/Voice, Songwriting
Christy P Klotz is a singer, songwriter, teacher, and worship leader. She leads worship and performs her own music throughout Southern California and beyond. Christy has overseen several student music programs, and worked as the Worship Director at Crosspointe Church. She was also a founding member of Christian music group, Well Collective, releasing and co-writing their debut album. She has gone on to release several songs under her artist project, “Christy P Klotz”, and has also written songs for TV/Film with songs under publishing groups Black Toast Music, Melodie, Imaginary Friends, and Crucial Music. She continues to write with many current artists including Erin Kinsey and EASHA. She is proficient on vocals, piano, guitar, writing, and producing. Christy is passionate about teaching and empowering the next generation to create meaningful music. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising with a Minor in Music as well as a Master of Science in Ministry from Pepperdine University. Christy currently works as a singer and songwriter for several projects, and as a Worship Director for Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village.

Colton Russell

Bass, Guitar
Colton Russell is an LA native and professional bassist. He is well versed across genres, with a background in jazz and classical music on upright bass starting in the fourth grade in addition to his established work on electric bass. He has collaborated with the Grammy nominated jazz pianist David Benoit, Clayton Cameron, Pat Kelly, Corretta, and an assortment of other artists. He has played venues from Seoul, South Korea to Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Colton is currently in his senior year at Pepperdine, studying Sports Medicine and Music under Barry Newton (Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony principal bass). Colton has been teaching students bass and guitar for 8 years and looks to continually share the knowledge and skills that he has developed working in the industry.

Ripley Conklin

Guitar, Ukulele
Ripley Conklin is a Los Angeles based session and live performing guitarist. He studied under LA session guitarist and composer Joe Di'blasi (Pink Floyd, Ghostbusters, Karate Kid, Paul Anka), and is currently studying classical guitar at Pepperdine University under Christopher Parkening and Kevin Enstrom.
Ripley is well versed in many styles of music, including jazz and classical, pop, rock, and folk. He is a member of the Pepperdine Jazz Ensemble, and performing and songwriting with LA based artists and performers. He has been playing guitar for 11 years, and instructing for 5, and is excited to share the knowledge and experience he's gained working in the industry with his students.

Kaira Hassell

Voice, Piano, Guitar, Songwriting
Kaira is a singer, songwriter, model and creative extraordinaire hailing from Yonkers, New York. She recently entered L.A.'s R&B/Soul music scene as a tour de force with her eclectic musical background and skills to match.
She received her B.S. in Music Orchestration from Molloy College and is an accomplished artist as she orchestrated and directed choirs for the Rockefeller Tree lighting in New York City, sang as a background singer for Fantasia, Demi Lovato, and Ne-Yo, and performed at Madison Square Garden, The Apollo, Bowery Electric, Verizon Center, and numerous venues across the country.
Kaira is a seasoned artist with a unique, soulful, and powerful sound drawing inspiration from her classical vocal training and years in gospel. Currently, she is making her mark on the music industry with her debut album where she is collaborating with top producers like Dr. Dre and Poo Bear.

Evan Tindall

Drums
Evan Tindall is a Los Angeles based live and session drummer and percussionist. He performs live with various groups out of the LA area. He has played drums and percussion for studio recordings, musicals, churches, as well as in orchestral settings. He’s well versed in many different styles of music, including rock, blues, pop, and jazz.
Evan is passionate about music and what role drums play in it. When teaching, he focuses on technique, flow, groove, and all of the essentials to become a solid drummer who can serve the music. But most of all, he believes playing drums (and music in general) is all about having fun! Evan is excited to share the knowledge he has gained through his years of playing with his students!

Miley Nguyen

Piano
Miley is a classically trained pianist who earned her Advanced level Certificate of Merit at age 16 and started teaching piano lessons at 17. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Arts in Music from California State University Northridge, studying under the piano tutelage of Dr. Brian Gould and Edward Francis. She pursued a Master’s of Music in Music Therapy from Colorado State University, where she expanded her clinical use of music in working with kids, teens, and young adults with special needs. Miley had the privilege of working as an oncology music therapist for cancer patients in Santa Barbara. She is a worship leader and songwriter, regularly leading and co-leading Sunday morning worship services and women’s events at Redeemer’s Church Ventura.
Aside from Westlake Music Academy, she is also a Kindermusik teacher for babies to elementary-aged groups in Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. She hopes to serve Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties with as many music lessons and sessions as she can. She has a holistic approach to music learning and believes music education is for anyone and everyone!

W. Aaron Rice

Voice, Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, Ukulele
W. Aaron Rice recently moved to Southern California upon completion of his Doctorate studies at The University of Arizona in Tucson, where he studied choral and orchestral conducting. While in Tucson, he studied voice with Dr. Andrew Stuckey, trombone with Professor Moises Paiewonsky, and orchestral techniques with Dr. Thomas Cockrell. Aaron serves as Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills, where he directs the Cathedral Choir on a weekly basis and organizes yearly concerts in December and July as well.

Anna Mocek

Violin, Viola, Piano
Anna Mocek is a soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Anna studied at Academy of Music in Krakow, Poland, Azusa Pacific University and Pepperdine University in the United States of America. She studied with many renowned violin professors like Alexander Treger and Min Jung Park. She is a prize winner of many national and regional competitions like Henry Schwab Violin Competition, CEA auditions or Nationwide Competition of Young Instrumentalists in Jaslo. She performed with many orchestras like American Youth Symphony, Los Angeles Sinfonietta and Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra in the United States. She also performed with European Spirit of Youth Orchestra in Italy and Slovenia, and Krakow Young Philharmonic Orchestra in Poland, Austria and Germany.
Anna has been a violin, viola and piano teacher for over 5 years and she is passionate about sharing her knowledge with her students.

Audrey Gomes

Guitar, Voice
Audrey Gomes is a Los Angeles based musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist. She has been studying music for ten years, taking lessons in guitar, voice and songwriting. She graduated from Moorpark College with an associate degree in Music where she studied classical guitar under Jordan Charnofksy.
Audrey has experience in various genres, including rock, blues, and jazz guitar whom she studied under the direction of Mitch Holder (from the Johnny Carson Tonight Show). She has since been selected to perform for several artists including Anderson Paak, Five for Fighting, and Philip Sayce. Audrey is looking forward to share her knowledge and passion for music to students from various backgrounds.

Caleb Tucker

Piano
Caleb Tucker is a Ventura County based keyboardist, artist, and worship leader. He began taking piano lessons in 2006, but most of his musical abilities have come from participating in worship environments all over Southern California.
Caleb graduated from the Los Angeles Recording School with an associates degree in Audio Production. He is the Worship and Creative Director at Limitless Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, and also plays keys for the Young Adults ministry at Calvary Community Church. In addition to serving in the local church, Caleb has also played keys with a group called California Will Be Saved in places like Hollywood Boulevard, The Rose Bowl, Santa Monica Beach, Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, Chase Palm Park Amphitheater in Santa Barbara, and Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove. In addition to playing in live worship events, he has played keys in various worship recordings. Caleb’s goal is to equip your child with a deeper passion for piano, and to teach them how to glorify God through music.
Caleb’s goal is to equip your child with a deeper passion for piano whether it’s in worship music, pop music or any other genre of music. He is patient, kind and great with kids of all ages!

Jordan Birgy-Krasnoff

Voice, Piano

Jordan is a singer, performer, and teacher based in Ventura County. She has been a passionate singer and performer since she was a little girl and has been studying voice for the past twelve years. She discovered her love for musical theatre in high-school and began private voice instruction at the age of thirteen. From there, she started her undergraduate training at Moorpark College, where she completed her Associate of Arts before transferring to California State University, Fullerton where she graduated with her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. With a background in classical voice and musical theatre performance, Jordan loves character study and using a wide variety of vocal techniques, styling, and inflection to step into another person’s shoes and convey their story. Her most recent role was that of Greta Fiorentino in CSUF Opera’s production of Street Scene.

In addition to theatrical roles, Jordan has also enjoyed many performance opportunities as an ensemble member. She has performed at the Hollywood Bowl several times with Andrea Bocelli, and most recently in Everybody Rise! A Sondheim Celebration, where she accompanied Broadway legends including Patti LuPone, Sierra Boggess, and Sutton Foster.

As a teacher, Jordan believes in establishing healthy technique that serves as a foundation for stylistic variations across all types of genres. This includes incorporating mixed register technique and using semi-occluded vocal tract exercises to create a blended, balanced sound. She loves helping her students discover and fall in love with their own unique voices.

Devon Curry

Drums, Music Production, Guitar, Bass, Piano

Devon Curry is a Los Angeles-based producer, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator. He has professionally been working in the music industry for over 10 years, and has had the the honor to have worked with/alongside artists such as Jon Bellion, Twenty One Pilots, Judah & The Lion, lovelytheband, Kris Allen, Christy Nockels, Ellie Holcomb, Riley Green, Jagwar Twin, Filmore, Casey Baer, Kirsten Arian, and many more.

Curry holds a Master of Music in Commercial Drumset Performance from Belmont University, and a Bachelor of Music in Classical Percussion Performance from the University Of Iowa. He is currently represented by Peermusic, a music publishing house located in Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA, where he produces and writes for film/tv sync music. Outside of that, he acts as a mentor to artists, songwriters, and producers in helping develop their skill and craft towards their journey within the music industry.

Kirsten Arian

Voice, Songwriting
Pop artist Kirsten Arian, was writing songs before she could even hold a pen. The Los Angeles native moved to Nashville at 18 and hit the ground running, winning Music City Breakthrough, a competition that helped Arian set up her first full-length album, Higher Than Heaven. The debut garnered the singer/songwriter airplay on MTV and Radio Disney. Her follow-up, 3, attracted the attention of major labels with breakthrough hits “Please Don’t Try To Stop Me” and “Girls Hate Girls,” which became the theme song for the national Love Is Louder anti-bullying campaign. In addition, her original recording of “Invincible” earned placement in 2017’s The Lego Batman Movie.
She is the artist and voice behind Delight Worship, a worldwide women's ministry and is currently represented by Peermusic. Outside of that, she acts as a mentor to artists and songwriters, in helping develop their skill and craft towards their journey within the music industry.

Dalton Hayse

Piano

Dalton Hayse is a Downbeat award-winning jazz pianist and composer based in the greater Los Angeles area. His career as a musician began as a classical pianist, performing piano concerti with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic Orchestra for four consecutive years. He shifted focus to jazz while attending the Hamilton Academy of Music and Performing Arts. There, his small jazz ensemble won 1st place at the 2019 Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. While attending the Hamilton Academy, he went on tour with the Herbie Hancock Institute National All-Star Jazz Sextet, and was invited to the Berklee Global Jazz Institute.

A 2023 graduate of the University of Southern California, Dalton has studied under Bob Mintzer and Russ Ferrante of the Yellowjackets, Vince Mendoza, Alan Pasqua, and Jason Goldman, broadening his expertise to encompass all contemporary music. In 2021, he produced and scored “Nobody Knows: Voices (Un)muted” with Dr. Ron McCurdy. The show premiered at the Grammy Museum in April 2022. He now works as a performing artist and session musician in Los Angeles and performs regularly with his progressive band, Pluto’s Heart, which was invited to the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy (under their former name, Gold Star).

Through his deep understanding of technique and theory, Dalton hopes to inspire in his students a passion for music that will test the boundaries of modern music-making.

Eumi Chung

Violin, Viola, Piano, Cello
Eumi developed a love for music when she was introduced to the violin at age seven. She was raised on the Suzuki method and continues to promote this method in her teaching. Eumi received her Bachelor’s of Music in Violin Performance from Kyunghee University, College of Music, where she studied violin with Professor Bomi Moon (a former student of Dorothy DeLay at Julliard). She was named the Concertmaster of the Gwacheon Youth Symphony and Kyunghee Chamber Orchestra for 4 years while in school. She has also performed with many ensembles including Southern California Philharmonic Orchestra, LA Sinfonietta, Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, Newark Symphony Orchestra as well as quartets and trios.
She taught private violin/viola lessons through a multifaceted arts and community center in LA, Pennsylvania, Delaware and S. Korea for over 20 years. Presently, Eumi continues to teach violin and viola and performs with Westlake Village Symphony. She offers violin/viola lessons to students of all ages and levels and she adapts her approach of teaching according to the student’s needs. She truly enjoys guiding the students to develop their skills and a love for music along the way.

Michael Gullo

Guitar
Michael Gullo began playing guitar at age 9 and classical at 14. Over the years, he studied under several known classical guitarists in Ventura county. He has auditioned and performed in masterclasses with world renowned classical guitarists such as Pepe Romero, Ana Vidovic, and Xchufei Yang and has performed at the (VCCGS) Ventura County Classical Guitar Society and (ACGS) American Classical Guitar Society. In 2016, he entered Moorpark College and studied under Professor Ron Borczon of Moorpark College/Cal State Northridge.
In 2020, as a transfer student, he was accepted to Pepperdine University as a music/guitar performance major and received the Christopher Parkening and Seaver College scholarships to attend and study under guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening. He completed his bachelors in 2023.
Michael’s philosophy as a guitar teacher comes from years of training, dedication, and attention to detail which creates the catalyst for teaching students in reaching their full potential. From beginner to advanced students, he can help you reach your goal in a successful and caring way.

Jené Hernandez

Voice, Piano
Jené Hernandez has truly been passionate about music all of her life. Ever since she began playing piano and singing on stage at the age of two, Jené has grown as a musician and is now thrilled to be able to share her love of music through teaching others.
Jené’s music career started in childhood, performing in many avenues including choir, musical theatre, opera, music competitions, and more. At the age of 14, she began teaching piano and voice private lessons. As a teen, she began composing her own music and went on to study at Cooper Music Conservatory at Point Loma Nazarene University where she earned her Bachelor of Music Composition. During her time in San Diego, she directed the La Jolla Presbyterian Children’s Choir and directed musicals at PLNU as president of the Musical Theatre Club. Her original music has won awards through CAPMT (California Association of Professional Music Teachers), the Kyoto Inamori Program for Arts and Philosophy, and more.
Jené is probably best known for her viral YouTube sensation from 2014, “Do You Wanna Go To Starbucks?” This comedic Disney parody was written by and stars Jené, and reached 1 million views after a week on the web. It was also covered by Good Morning America, The Today Show, People Magazine, Broadway World, NPR, and more. The YouTube video now has over 5 million views. This achievement vaulted Jené into the world of viral marketing as a performer, and is excited to uniquely help coach artists whether their medium is the stage or the internet.
Jené loves to pass her enthusiasm for music on to her students of all ages, levels, and experience through piano and voice lessons. Jené’s teaching style includes important techniques that are tried-and-true but also individualizes creatively to match her students’ goals. Lessons typically include a dose of music theory, music history, and learning new repertoire, and Jené’s feedback is always given with encouragement and positivity.

Britlin Lee Furst

Voice, Piano, Composition
Britlin Lee Furst is a maestro of vocal, piano, songwriting, and film composition instruction in the Conejo Valley since 2016. Britlin earned a Bachelor's degree specializing in Vocal Study and Composition from the prestigious Queens College in 2015. She wrote an opera at the age of 24. To further hone her skills, she was honored with a mentorship by Quincy Jones’s main vocal arranger, Thomas Bahler, who’s worked with Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Cher, Frank Sinatra, etc. Britlin has a remarkable ability as a proficient harmonist, effortlessly weaving her voice into any song, creating enchanting harmonies.
Britlin's instructional abilities include: ear training (a key component for vocal range, pitch, tone and harmony), musical notation and music theory, posture, breath control and presence (performance skills), audition skills, use of dynamics/phrasing, sight-reading, playing the piano, broadening one’s repertoire, musicianship skills, film scoring (all instruments), songwriting and lyric writing, and singing in music studio settings.
Throughout her career, Britlin has had the privilege of scoring films while advocating for equality in the industry as a member of the Alliance for Women Film Composers and MPATH Tracks. Many of Britlin's students have achieved acceptance into their preferred colleges, secured lead roles in musicals, and have enjoyed success with hit singles on platforms such as YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify. Britlin has also created virtual choirs, recorded albums showcasing the unique talent of singers from around the world, and has offered students the opportunity to sing on her film scores as well!

Greg Shilling

Voice, Piano, Songwriting
Greg Shilling is a Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, and Vocal Producer signed to BMG Publishing. He is a Professor of Voice and Songwriting at *Los Angeles College of Music*, and the lead vocal producer for the Philippines' largest record label and media company, ABS-CBN. His music has amassed millions of streams as both an artist and a writer. He has found himself on top of coveted playlists like “Fresh Finds” [712k Followers] on Spotify, Apple Music’s “Virtual Hugs,” and even Spotify’s “Viral Hits: Philippines.” He landed a write-up in American Songwriter Magazine; enjoyed international success as the featured singer for Japanese DJ group “AmPm” and collaborated with K-POP star “WOOSUNG” from The Rose,” all while having quite a few viral moments on social media.
Shilling has formed an impressive body of work alongside hit making producers, artists, and songwriters such as: Tommy Brown (Ariana Grande), Lostboy (Tiesto, Tate McRae) Shintaro Yasuda (Ariana Grande, LE SSERAFIM), Vaughn Oliver (Nicki Minaj), Ron Feemster (Michael Jackson, Doja Cat), Joe Kirkland (BlackBear), Ryan Daly (DNCE), Erik Ron (Godsmack), Social House, The Living Tombstone, Gabi Sklar, David Hugo, Woosung, Fritz Hagar, Francisco Martin, Kayla Divinere, and many more. Greg Shilling produces, writes, sings, and teaches music in the Pop, Singer/Songwriter, and Soul genres.

Nicole McLean

Voice, Piano, Songwriting
Nicole McLean is a Creative through and through. She is a Pop/Soul LA-based Artist & Songwriter who hails from the Deep South in Alabama and she's lived in LA since 2018. She has a passion for investing into the next generation of Creatives. She has been trained by one of the Industry's top vocal coaches in the world, Brett Manning - creator of Singing Success (Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Hayley Williams, Keith Urban).
She previously taught and led at Highlands College, as the Worship Practicum Oversight, where she trained over 100+ students in Vocal Performance, Music Theory, Piano, and Songwriting. Along with being an Artist, she is also a Creative and Worship Pastor at her local church.

Gavin Valladares

Drums, Guitar, Piano

Gavin Valladares is a drummer. But he doesn't stop there. He is a passionate multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who thrives on collaboration. A lover of various genres, his diverse musical taste influences his decisions as a composer and a performer.

He has played on domestic and international tours, adding a notable touch to every project he works on. Gavin studied Jazz and Latin styles in college and under renowned drummers, including Burleigh Drummond of Ambrosia. Gavin stays busy touring for several bands and artists from Southern California.

As an experienced promoter and producer, Gavin has earned a reputation for bringing quality talent to numerous concert lineups. He also organizes and executes his concerts and festivals, including his Flawed System Fest held in the hills of Topanga Canyon, CA. He enjoys bringing immersive community experiences to life by mixing music, art, food, and curated vendors in his events to provide attendees with memorable, multi-faceted events."