Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Tellier.
Hi Adrienne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been inspired by the magic of childhood—bright minds, big imaginations, and that spark that happens when learning feels like discovery.
My own journey started in the arts. I grew up immersed in music and performance—piano, voice, musical theatre, dance, even aerial silks! After earning my BFA in Musical Theatre, I moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. But along the way, I found a new kind of stage: the classroom.
As a teaching artist, I had the opportunity to work with children of all ages in all kinds of creative spaces—teaching music, directing and choreographing children’s theatre, and even tutoring chess. That’s where something clicked. I saw how introducing chess to young kids with a fun approach helped them grow in ways that reached far beyond the board. They became more focused, more confident, and more capable.
Eventually, I took on a curriculum leadership role at an education startup in NYC, where I saw firsthand how powerful imaginative, play-based learning can be. Those experiences, and a deep love for early childhood education, led me to create Musical Chess—a program that brings together music, strategy, and joyful movement to make chess exciting and developmentally meaningful for young children.
While it is cool to say my three-year-old can play chess, for me its more about sparking curiosity, building confidence, and giving kids a foundation they’ll carry with them far beyond the game.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This is such an interesting question, because in many ways, it feels like my entire journey has been leading me to the creation of Musical Chess. There have absolutely been struggles, hard work, and plenty of lessons along the way—but each one helped prepare me for this moment.
Since the idea for Musical Chess came to me, the process of building the curriculum and shaping the program has actually felt incredibly smooth. Everything is moving quickly, and it’s exciting. I’ve been overwhelmed—in the best way—by how much support has shown up. The right people keep appearing at just the right time, offering their time and talents to help bring Musical Chess to life. I’m so grateful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Musical Chess, we believe every child is a symphony of potential—ready to explore, express, and grow. We blend chess, music, and imaginative play into one joyful, developmentally rich experience for kids ages 2½ to 7. Our mission is simple: spark curiosity, nurture confidence, and help children build lasting skills—on and off the chessboard.
What sets us apart is our thoughtful design. This isn’t about memorization or pressure—it’s about supporting the whole child through creative, hands-on learning. Whether in group classes, private lessons, or school partnerships, we meet each child where they are and help them thrive.
We’re proud to offer a program that makes chess accessible for young learners. It’s playful and thoughtfully designed. We’ve been endorsed by a pediatric occupational therapist who highlighted the many developmental skills supported in our classes, including vestibular processing, body awareness, body schema, executive functioning, visual perception, and ocular motor skills.
At its heart, Musical Chess is about nurturing each child’s learning journey. We want kids to discover their spark—and carry a love of learning with them for life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t really think of things as luck. For me, it’s more about noticing little moments of alignment—when the right people show up at the right time or when something unexpected points me in a new direction. What might seem like bad luck in the moment—missed opportunities or things not working out—has often led me somewhere better, even if I didn’t see it right away. I try to pay attention to what feels honest and true for me, and trust that even the detours have a purpose.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies, please visit our website to find the option that works best for you.
- Public Group Classes
- Private Lessons
- School Partnerships
Contact Info:
- Website: musicalchessgvl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicalchessgvl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicalchessgvl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/musical-chess/
