Local Educator and Studio Owner Launches More Than Music, a New Book About Raising Confident Kids

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. - Sept. 7, 2026 - PRLog -- Author, educator, and Chords & Keys co-owner Greg Ogorek today announced the publication of More Than Music: How Parents Can Raise Confident, Resilient Kids Through Music and the Arts.

Published by Chords & Keys Press, the book invites parents to see music and arts education as something larger than the pursuit of technical ability. Drawing from Ogorek's experience as a parent, mentor, performer, business leader, and studio owner, More Than Music explores how the learning process can help children develop qualities that will serve them throughout their lives.

"Most children who take music lessons will not become professional musicians, and that does not make the experience any less valuable," Ogorek said. "The real opportunity is found in who a child becomes while learning to practice, perform, work through frustration, and continue growing when something feels difficult."

The book grew from the educational philosophy behind Chords & Keys, a Merritt Island music and performing arts studio founded by Ogorek's wife, Kim. At the studio, music and the arts are used to help students develop seven essential qualities: confidence, progress over perfection, stamina, commitment, discipline, a safe place for the mind, and the ability to grow through frustration.

Across 18 chapters, More Than Music examines the role parents and teachers can play in shaping a child's learning experience. Topics include building confidence before competence, praising the process instead of the outcome, developing healthy practice habits, managing frustration, understanding the value of performance, and redefining what success looks like for a young artist.

The book also challenges the idea that every struggle should be removed from a child's path. Instead, Ogorek encourages adults to create supportive environments where children can experience manageable difficulty, learn from mistakes, and discover that progress is possible through patience and sustained effort.

More Than Music is available as an ebook, paperback, and hardcover. The ebook is available through Amazon Kindle and Apple Books, with print editions available through Amazon.

About the Author
Greg Ogorek is an author, educator, performer, business leader, and co-owner of Chords & Keys in Merritt Island, Florida. His experience spans music, theater, mentoring, cybersecurity, organizational leadership, and more than three decades of working with performers and developing teams. He is also the founder of Chords & Keys Press.

About Chords & Keys Press
Chords & Keys Press is an imprint of Chords & Keys LLC. It publishes accessible resources exploring music, arts education, personal development, and the ways creative learning can contribute to healthier lives and stronger communities.
https://www.chordsandkeys.com/about/chords-keys-press