Welcome to Chords of Courage

Chords of Courage uses music as a catalyst for engagement. Our mission is to use the art of songwriting to excite and motivate students of all ages. We provide tools to write compelling songs of triumph over adversity. Students are encouraged to perform their own acts of service by STEPPING UP! and making a difference in the lives of others.

Music is our universal language. By celebrating the courageous among us through song and video, we can be inspired to perform our own acts of kindness and courage. Daily we are barraged with so many negative messages. Together, we can change the conversation one song at a time.

Creating the Songs

Inspiring Our Youth One Song at a Time

Sharing Our Music

Using Songwriting as a Catalyst for Social Change

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Many of Our Wonderful Sponsors, Supporters & Partners

Our Testimonials

I really like what we did with Chords of Courage because it was something special. It was something we had to work with a group, to work together and listen to each other, to find out what we really wanted to say. And we made a really great song about a man who made a difference. And I like how I got to do this with one of my closest friends and I feel like we made a difference.
Odetta was inspiring because it is really hard to get over discrimination and she turned that discrimination into something extremely positive and made others feel good about themselves which is really hard to do. I am really impressed. She was very influential and I want to be like her.
I am very thankful for having participated in the Chords of Courage project. It was one of the highlights of my high school career, no question! This unique experience, to be able to lead a film project like the one Claire and I directed at our age, taught me leadership, organization and time management skills I needed to carry out this project. I have already benefited from it in other film projects I’ve directed since. Plus it has helped me significantly in areas unrelated to film like school and sports. Lastly, it was wonderful to work with such passionate and imaginative people from Chords of Courage, Susan and Caron, who made this opportunity possible!
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Why Start Chords of Courage?

When you live in a world where news cycles favor the selfish, greedy and violent, stories of the courageous among us often get lost in the din. Through songs, videos, and STEPPING UP! acts of community service, Chords of Courage puts names, faces and stories to the courageous among us who have performed acts of valor and suffered in the process or performed an act of inspiration born of tragedy whose actions contributed to significant, positive change.

We share these incredible stories with the public hoping to interrupt the negative conversation in our country while inspiring young and old alike to perform their own acts of courage and kindness.

From the Founder:

Every time I turned on the TV, the computer, the radio, the news was filled with stories of violence, pain, political gridlock and constant negativity. Some of the perpetrators are punished; many are rewarded with media coverage, money and even video games named after them. After a while, we become immune to these negative messages and that is what I fear most for our young people and our society.

In the 1960’s we experienced a social revolution with music at its core. Through broadcast and social media, schools, and popular events, we can do it again.

Won’t you join us in highlighting the courageous among us as we shine a spotlight on the ordinary to the extraordinary – and, inspired by these amazing role models, STEP UP! and make a difference.

Upward and onward in strength and harmony,
Caron Dale, Founder & CEO, Chords of Courage