I had the great pleasure of connecting with Adrienne Tellier, the mastermind behind the new company, Musical Chess, to discuss the ways that kids can explore artistry and chess together! Adrienne was a beloved member of the Child’s Play NY faculty and contributed so much to our own Musical Theater curriculum before moving out of state and starting her own incredible organization. The interview below highlights how special it is when young people feel mastery over a skill, and use artistic means to get there! Enjoy!

Adrienne, how would you describe the world of Musical Chess (the colors, the energy, the feeling) to someone who’s never seen it before.

 

Playful by nature. Thoughtful on Purpose. Musical Chess was made to inspire young minds to explore music, movement and the game of chess in a curious, confident, and creative manner.

 

In our digital space, we welcome silly, we invite imagination, and we meet children right where they’re at. Kids don’t learn in straight lines. They learn through play, and Musical Chess is here to support that.

 

We believe in nurturing the whole child, supporting their emotional, social, and intellectual development on and off the chessboard. We do this, by keeping our energy upbeat, our message both positive and encouraging, and experience as unique as the children actively participating.

 

In every aspect of our edutainment platform, we aim to be intentional – from our playful logo and vibrant colors to our unique style of learning. Our approach blends music, movement, and simple chess strategy into joyful, interactive moments that children love and parents trust.

 

Where will your curiosity guide you? When families tap into our children’s learning app or explore our YouTube channel, we hope that they will follow that curiosity to learn and experience the magic of Musical Chess for themselves. 

Your platform blends chess, music, movement, and play. What drew you to that combination, and why does it work so beautifully for young learners?

 

At first glance, it might feel like an unexpected combination. But in practice, it is incredibly natural.

Each element, chess, music, movement, and play, holds so much value on its own. Chess builds critical thinking and patience. Music supports memory and creativity. Movement helps children stay engaged and connected. And Play is how they make sense of the world around them.

When you bring these elements together, the experience becomes whole.

Children are not only thinking, they are feeling, moving, expressing, and creating all at once. It meets them in a way that feels intuitive, and because of that, they are more open, more engaged, and more willing to try.

I’ve seen it in my students. Children who are shy begin to open up and participate with confidence. Children who struggle to sit still find themselves asking to stay with the game just a little longer. Parents share how their children are thinking more deeply, asking better questions, and approaching challenges with a new sense of curiosity.

There is also an emotional layer to it. Through this blend, children are not only learning strategy, they are learning about themselves. They are navigating big feelings, building resilience, and beginning to understand others in a more thoughtful way.

That is the magic of Musical Chess. It’s more than just a game. It’s an experience that strengthens the mind, nurtures the heart, and supports the whole child in a way that feels playful, balanced, and lasting.

 

The Musical Chess App is at the heart of your platform. What do you hope a child feels the moment they open it?

 

I hope the very first thing they feel is a smile!

 

From that first hello, I want children to feel welcomed into a space that is warm, inviting, and ultimately playful. A place where they can laugh, explore, and feel an immediate sense of belonging.

 

I want them to feel free to be themselves. To be curious. To take chances. To discover that learning something like chess can feel both joyful and empowering.

 

And just as importantly, I want the grownups behind the screen to feel that too.

 

I want parents, caregivers, and educators to feel a sense of ease and trust the moment the app opens. To know their child is stepping into a safe, thoughtful environment. One without ads or distractions, where the experience is intentional and supportive from beginning to end.

 

Your YouTube channel is another big piece of the platform. How does it complement the app and support families at home?

Our YouTube channel is what I like to call our “opening move” or an overture if you will, to peek inside our playful experience.

 

YouTube is often the very first touchpoint for families, a place where they can step into the world of Musical Chess and get a feel for what we are all about. Here, families can explore a variety of content – from engaging chess instruction and movement-based games to mindful moments, brain-boosting puzzles, and positive affirmations.

 

Our YouTube channel is a space that encourages kids to learn, move, and have fun all at once. It also provides parents and caregivers with a chance to explore our approach firsthand and understand how we blend music, movement, and chess into playful digital experiences.

 

As families begin to connect with Musical Chess, we then offer a structured, more guided experience in our children’s learning app.

 

Our Musical Chess app builds on everything kids love about our YouTube channel and takes it a step further. It offers a more comprehensive learning journey, thoughtfully organized and designed to grow with the child, all within a safe, ad-free environment.

 

Together,  work hand in hand.

YouTube sparks the interest. The app deepens the experience.

 

Was there a moment – big or small – when you realized, “This isn’t just an idea… this is something kids need?”

ms. adrienne of musical chess

The very first spark of Musical Chess came to me as I was driving in the car when the Bishop song quite literally popped  into my brain. It felt unexpected and exciting, like something had just clicked into place. At that moment, I knew there was something worth exploring.

The deeper realization came later… After I began teaching in-person classes and stepped into a local entrepreneur program. It is hard to fully explain, but it felt like I had suddenly boarded a fast-moving train without even realizing it. And that train was expanding Musical Chess into children’s edutainment and digital learning.

Screens are everywhere. Children are watching, tapping, swiping, and scrolling more than ever before. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers are left trying to sort through the digital noise: what’s helpful, what’s harmless, and what’s not so great.

The real question was not how to avoid screens, but rather how to use them with intention. How do we create meaningful screen time that encourages real learning and whole-child development?

Musical Chess became my answer to that question and a form of thoughtful, quality edutainment designed to engage children actively and support families globally.

By entering the ‘digital stage’ we have the opportunity to reach more families, more classrooms, and more curious young minds than ever before.

How do you think play, especially musical play, changes the way kids approach something traditionally seen as serious like chess?

I see it all the time, especially in parents. The recoil in body language, the face of disbelief. “Chess is intimidating, I can’t even play it, and you’re telling me my three year old who is currently running around in circles, screaming in delight is going to learn chess?”

My answer… YES!

It may feel like a stretch, but the truth is that children are already wired for this. They learn through music. They learn through movement. They learn through play. And when you bring these elements into something like chess, it transforms something that feels rigid into something that feels inviting.

Instead of memorizing moves, children experience them. They sing about the pieces, they act them out, they connect to the game in a way that feels playful. We’ve seen time and time again that music and movement support memory, engagement, and confidence. It is why so many of us can still sing our ABCs without thinking twice. We learned through song, and we’ll always remember it.

That is exactly what we are doing with Musical Chess. We’re meeting children right where they’re at, as early as age three, and introducing them to the game of chess in a way that feels exciting and approachable.

Chess is the subject. Growing young minds is our mission.

What part of building Musical Chess lights you up the most right now?

Building Musical Chess comes with a big vision and a lot of moving pieces. As an entrepreneur who started this journey on my own and is now growing a small team, there is always something to think about, build, or refine. I care deeply about every detail, and while that work is meaningful, it can also be incredibly full.

But then, a message comes in. A parent shares a photo of their child proudly sitting at a chessboard. A video of a little one singing one of our songs at the dinner table. A note about a child who is starting to feel more confident at school, raising their hand, making new friends, trying something new.

These are the moments that shift everything. They’re the reminders that Musical Chess is not just an idea. Musical Chess is living and breathing in the lives of families and sparking joy in ways I once only imagined.

This is what lights me up. This is the proof that keeps me going and motivates me to dream bigger, build better, and shine my light even brighter for the families we serve.

Is there a moment with a child or family that reminded you, “Yes, this is why I’m building this”

It’s hard to choose just one moment, because there have been so many that stop me in my tracks and remind me exactly why this matters.

I think about after the holidays, when students shared with me that they received a chessboard as a gift.  Hearing the pride in their voices and eagerness to play, is so thrilling to me.

I think about the video a parent shared of their child, who had experienced physical developmental delays, following along with one of our movement-based lessons. You could hear the emotion in the mother’s voice, that mix of pride, joy, and surprised excitement. It was more than just participation. It was progress, confidence, and possibility all in one moment.

I think about a child who watched our lesson on pawn promotion and felt inspired to write her own song about it. Not only did she understand the concept, she made it her own. She created! And in doing so, she invited her family into that experience with her. That kind of connection is everything.

And then there are the photos… Kids playing chess with a parent, a grandparent, even a new friend at the park. Moments of connection that might not have happened otherwise, now unfolding over a chessboard.

Families reach out to share their gratitude, not just for the game, but for the time spent together.

One parent shared that their child, who once struggled with confidence, is now attending and even winning chess tournaments. That kind of transformation is powerful. It reaches far beyond the board.

I could go on, truly. Each story, each message, each shared moment is a reminder that this is so much bigger than an app, a lesson, or a game. It’s about whole-child development in action.

And I feel so grateful to play even a small part in that.

You’re currently running a Kickstarter to support the next phase of the app. What possibilities does this open up for families?

 

Our Kickstarter campaign is an invitation to build what comes next, together.

At its core, this campaign allows us to take the first version of the Musical Chess app and thoughtfully grow it into a more polished, fully realized experience for children and families.

With the support of our community, we’re able to expand not just what our children’s learning app does, but how it feels to use it.

For families, this opens the door to even more meaningful moments of play and learning. We’re creating new Musical Chess content to enjoy together, from fresh learning videos and movement-based activities to interactive lessons and playful extensions that can carry beyond the screen and into everyday life.

It also allows us to refine the experience itself: We’re improving the app’s design to be more intuitive, responsive, and child-friendly across devices, whether families are engaging on a phone, tablet, or desktop.

Behind the scenes, this campaign helps us strengthen the foundation of our web app so it can grow alongside the families who use it. As our community expands and we venture worldwide, we’re building the infrastructure needed to support that growth while maintaining the quality and care that Musical Chess is known for.

Every detail matters when it comes to how children explore and learn, and we want that experience to feel seamless, supportive, and ultimately playful.

And there is so much more I have planned for bringing this Musical Chess world to life. And this campaign will provide the space, time, and resources to do so with intention. To create something that not only meets children where they are, but continues to grow with them.

When you imagine the future — the big, dreamy version — what does the world of Musical Chess look like?

I envision the world of Musical Chess becoming a household name and a favorite family or classroom activity.  One that children ask for and parents, caregivers and educators are excited to oblige.

Our children’s learning app will have endless lessons, puzzles, video resources, among other amazingly interactive features.

Our YouTube channel will be the go-to place for trusted family edutainment and feature people from all walks of life, all over the world.

My heart would explode with joy seeing kids dressed up as “Ms. Adrienne” or hearing their voices singing our chess songs in the aisles of the grocery store.

I hope to make Musical Chess available to streaming services and offer Musical Chess themed goodies like chess sets, bells, toys and more.

Who knows… maybe even a Musical Chess Tour!

The possibilities are endless, and I’m excited to share them globally!

How can families join the Musical Chess community — through the app, YouTube, or supporting the Kickstarter?

 

Families can explore Musical Chess by…

 

For businesses and believers, we’re also offering a unique opportunity to support our Musical Chess mission via Classroom (or small group), and School level sponsorships.