Guitar Center Names Jennifer Hatton President of Music & Arts

‍Veteran education executive brings three decades of operational leadership to Guitar Center’s school music division

Guitar Center announces the appointment of Jennifer Hatton as President of Music & Arts, the company’s school music division. Hatton brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the education sector, and her appointment supports Music & Arts’ continued growth across its school music, instrument rental, and lessons businesses. The move reinforces Guitar Center’s commitment to expanding access to music education nationwide, supporting young musicians, and creating opportunities for the next generation of artists.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guitar Center today named Jennifer Hatton President of Music & Arts, the company's school music division. Hatton brings nearly three decades of education sector leadership, most recently as Chief Growth Officer at Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, where she helped secure more than $240 million in new business partnerships and achieved a 98% account renewal and retention rate over the last 18 months. Her appointment positions Music & Arts to accelerate growth across its school music, rental, and lessons businesses.

“Music and Arts is the largest provider of K–12 band and orchestra rentals and equipment in the United States, and we currently have great momentum in the business,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “Jennifer has spent her career serving the education sector while building scalable operations, and that’s exactly what Music & Arts needs to keep growing.”

At Follett Higher Education, Hatton served as Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Vice President of Retail Operations and Course Materials Strategy, overseeing a $1.6 billion business serving students and fans across 1,100 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. That background translates directly to Music & Arts’ network of school partnerships, rental programs, and lesson offerings.

“This brand has been inside schools and music programs for over 70 years,” said Jennifer Hatton, President of Music & Arts. “That kind of trust is hard to build and easy to lose. I’m here to make sure we keep earning it.”

Music & Arts is Guitar Center’s dedicated school music division, with more than seven decades of experience connecting students, families, and educators with instruments, lessons, and support. Hatton’s appointment reflects Guitar Center’s continued investment in Music & Arts as a key component of its broader brand ecosystem, designed to support musicians at every stage of their journey. For more information about Music & Arts, visit musicarts.com.

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