Guitar Jumpstart
Overview
Ready to start playing guitar? Guitar Jumpstart is a fun, beginner-friendly class designed for students who want to build real skills quickly and confidently. In this supportive small-group setting, students will learn basic chords, strumming patterns, and how to play full songs together using simple chord progressions. No experience needed — just bring your curiosity and get ready to play!
This class is open to students ages 8–12. Class size is limited to 8 students.
Students will:
Learn to strum and change between basic open chords
Play complete songs using simple chord progressions
Read and follow basic chord charts
Develop rhythm and steady timing through group exercises
Build confidence playing in an ensemble setting
Gain a strong foundation for private lessons or future guitar classes
Schedule
Tuesday, 5:30-6:30pm
Summer Session – July 23-August 13 (4 weeks)
Tuition
$10-20/class (contact to discuss options)
In an effort to make this opportunity accessible to more families, this class will be offered on a sliding scale. Families are invited to choose the tuition level that best fits their current financial situation—no application or documentation needed. Those who choose to pay the full amount help support a more inclusive music community at Anthem.
Tuition is charged upfront for the entire session you choose. Your payment secures your spot for the full session, helping us plan effectively and provide consistent learning experiences.
Materials Needed
Guitar (acoustic recommended, electric will require a practice amp)
Picks
Tuner
All other materials will be provided.
Meet the Teacher
Jeremy Hiniker is a classical guitarist from southern Minnesota with 20 years of experience performing and teaching. Over the course of his music career, Jeremy has been fortunate to study with many gifted guitarists including world-renowned guitar virtuoso and pedagogue Rene Izquierdo, and Minneapolis Guitar Quartet members Wade Oden and Maja Radovanlija.
Throughout his education, Jeremy earned top marks as he received his AFA in Music with guitar emphasis at Normandale Community College, BFA in Classical Guitar Performance from UW-Milwaukee, and Master of Music in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Minnesota. In addition, Jeremy has had the opportunity to perform for and learn from many notable and prizewinning guitarists such as Marcin Dylla, Zoran Dukic, Odair Assad, Shin-Ichi Fukuda, Anton Baranov, Denis Azabagic and many more.
Aside from his educational pursuits, Jeremy also is an avid performer, performing solo and chamber music concerts as well as weddings, events and even yoga classes. These serve his mission in advocating for awareness, appreciation, and education for the classical guitar; a mission he began as a major partner in the Milwaukee Classical Guitar Society’s “Guitar Ambassador” program by performing and presenting in schools throughout Milwaukee.
As an educator, Jeremy specializes in teaching beginner and intermediate students, leading them through an approach that develops music fundamentals including reading music (standard notation), rhythm, music theory, as well as incorporating proper technique to allow for ease of playing in whatever style they are interested in.