For Adrienne Tellier, creativity and teaching have always gone hand in hand. She studied musical theatre and then she spent years performing on stage, teaching kids’ programs, and writing curriculum for an education startup in New York City. During the pandemic, Adrienne and her husband returned to her birth town, drawn to Greenville’s thriving arts and food scene and the chance to start a family in a place that felt both familiar and inspiring.
The idea for Musical Chess came at an unexpected moment. Driving to work one morning, Adrienne suddenly heard a melody in her head—the tune for the bishops. That spark quickly grew into a full set of songs, each one tied to a chess piece, and soon after, into a structured curriculum that would blend music, movement, and strategy into one playful, educational experience.
Musical Chess is built in acts, much like a performance. Act 1 is a seven-week course where children are introduced to the chess pieces through original songs, dance, and imaginative movement games. “It’s about more than memorizing the moves,” Adrienne explains. “Kids begin to understand concepts like taking turns, making decisions, and sticking with a challenge—all in a low-pressure environment.”
Once children are comfortable with the pieces, Act 2 introduces the mechanics of play: how pieces move together, basic strategy, and the flow of a real chess game. Adrienne has found that breaking down big concepts into smaller, creative steps makes the game accessible at a younger age than most programs, which typically don’t begin until age five.
Looking ahead, future acts will cover the opening, middle, and endgame—teaching children not just how to play, but how to think critically about strategy. Sessions are designed to be flexible, with group lessons, private classes, and one-off workshops for families. Schools can also partner with Adrienne to bring Musical Chess directly into the classroom, giving students weekly access to a unique program that weaves together chess, music, movement, and social-emotional learning.
What sets Musical Chess apart is its intentional blend of disciplines. It’s not just about learning chess or memorizing a song—it’s about using multiple pathways to develop creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. Adrienne describes it as “a space where kids can try something new, make mistakes, and learn from them.” Parents often come looking for a fresh activity that challenges their children intellectually, but they stay because the program helps their kids grow emotionally, too.
Musical Chess also addresses a gap in traditional offerings. While most chess programs focus narrowly on strategy, Adrienne’s approach helps children build emotional intelligence, confidence, and communication skills—alongside the basics of STEM thinking. It’s a holistic way to prepare kids not just for chessboards, but for life’s challenges.
Launching a business is never without its challenges. For Adrienne, the hardest part hasn’t been creating content—that flowed naturally—but reaching the right families and schools. “I know the program works. I’ve seen the value firsthand. Now it’s about increasing awareness to the right audiences.”
Adrienne connected with fellow founders through Business & Brews and NextGEN’s SUDs events, and was encouraged to apply to Furman University’s GVL Starts program. In just a few days, she’ll join a new cohort of early-stage founders, gaining mentorship, resources, and a supportive community to help Musical Chess scale. “There’s an exciting development brewing,” she hints, “and I’m looking forward to finding the right support through GVL Starts.”
Adrienne’s vision for Musical Chess is ambitious yet grounded in her core mission: helping children thrive. She plans to expand through more school and nonprofit partnerships, create opportunities for free classes to reach families who might not otherwise have access, and continue building out the curriculum through future acts. Over time, she hopes to grow a community of young learners who approach challenges—on the chessboard and beyond—with confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
Greenville’s startup scene just got a little tastier! Hone, a shared kitchen space, has officially opened, giving local food entrepreneurs the tools, space, and community they need to grow their businesses. For food founders, access to commercial-grade kitchen space can be a big hurdle, and Hone is here to change that.
Greenville’s tech community thrives when more people have access to pathways into learning, building, and growing. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Bletchley Institute and Clarke College into the StartupGVL community. These organizations bring new approaches to hands-on learning and early career exploration, adding to the strong foundation already built by groups across the region.
South Carolina’s entrepreneurial future was on full display as Clemson University hosted the 6th Annual Palmetto Pitch Competition at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad and this year set a new record. Nearly 200 attendees gathered to watch student founders from colleges and universities across the state compete, connect, and showcase ideas with the potential to shape South Carolina’s next decade of innovation.