Chess Classes

Book a Free Chess Trial Class

Chess lessons in Staten Island at DEA Music & Art.

Sharpen your mind.  Master the game.  Enjoy the challenge.

DEA Music & Art in Staten Island offers engaging, skill-building chess lessons for kids and teens of all levels. Whether your child is picking up a chess piece for the first time or aiming to compete in tournaments, our experienced instructors guide them through every move.

  • Rules & Fundamentals
  • Opening Principles
  • Tactics & Strategies
  • Endgame Techniques
  • Tournament Skills
amanda fiocco
My daughter has been going to DEA for singing and piano lessons for about 4 years. Her teacher Ms. Noa has been amazing. She is patient and caring and has really excelled in teaching my daughter how to use her voice. I’m very happy with the way she has progressed and is becoming a great vocalist and getting better and better at piano. I highly recommend!
Man qing Zhong
I think this place is good for my kid. She learned many piano pieces and some warm ups for piano. My daughter barely complains about this place. She even said she wanted to be in summer school here again.
Andrii Slobodian
We like DEA Music and Art. My 2 kids are coming here for piano lessons and our teacher Mrs Krystyna is very nice, kids love her. Happy and continuing our lessons here.
Lucky Kiru
We are incredibly grateful to have found Refika at DEA Music School. Our girls have been learning piano with her for the past three years, and the growth we’ve seen—both musically and personally—has been amazing.
Refika is an exceptional teacher: patient, encouraging, and highly skilled. She knows exactly how to teach children in a way that keeps them motivated and confident, while still maintaining high standards. She adapts her teaching style to each child, which has helped our twins develop their own musical strengths and love for piano.
DEA Music School provides a warm, professional, and well-organized learning environment. Communication is always clear, lessons are structured, and the overall atmosphere truly supports students’ progress and passion for music.
We highly recommend Refika and DEA Music School to any parent looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, and inspiring piano teacher. It has been a wonderful journey
, and we look forward to many more years of learning.
Response from the owner:Thank you for this wonderful review. We are thrilled to hear how much your daughters have grown in the past three years and we are so happy they love studying piano with Mrs. Refika. She is a dedicated and inspiring teacher and we are lucky to have her on our team. Thank you for being part of our DEA Music and Art family.
X. Y.
Awesome music school. All instruments taught. Two performances per school year at Christmas and June are great for showcasing how much the kids learned. Elis is a professional piano player and a great instructor with lots of experience on the piano. He is always trying to find new ways to help the students learn. Highly recommend this music school.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for leaving a review. This means a lot to us!
Cheryl Oconnell
My daughter’s piano teacher Ms Yulia is amazing. Her patience and professionalism has instilled confidence in Ava not only learning the piano but in her grades at school. Thank you Ms Yulia
Response from the owner:Thank you your review. We are so happy that Ava is enjoying the piano class with Ms. Yulia.
Labi Shala
Gina-Marie Principe
I’ve recently taken up drumming lessons with Mauro at DEA Studio. He is an incredible, patient, and smart teacher who takes the time to help me understand how to listen to music. It is not easy to teach a newbie like myself but Mauro has the patience and education to teach me every step of the way. I am having such an incredible experience at DEA!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your review. We greatly appreciate you being part of our family.
Vijeta Gera
My daughter is doing remote classes with teacher Elis. He is a wonderful teacher and a person. I highly recommend the teacher and DEA.
Daryl Mendoza
It’s been great since Mr. Elis took over my son’s piano lessons! He is knowledgeable and friendly. He is easy to get in touch with. Scheduling is better. Overall, we are pleased!

Why Learn Chess at DEA Music & Art?

  • Expert Instructors – Our teachers break down strategies, tactics, and critical thinking skills in a way students can easily understand.
  • Structured Curriculum – Lessons progress from the basics of piece movement to advanced openings, endgames, and tournament preparation.
  • Confidence & Focus – Chess helps develop patience, planning, and problem-solving skills that benefit students on and off the board.
  • Fun, Supportive Environment – Students play, learn, and grow in a welcoming, interactive setting.
Book a Free Chess Trial Class

Beginner to master — everyone’s invited!

Beginners ages 6+ learning the basics.

Intermediate players looking to improve strategy.

Advanced students preparing for rated competitions.

Chess Lessons – Frequently Asked Questions

A: Kids can start as early as age 6. At DEA Music & Art, we adjust lessons to match each student’s age and skill level.

A: Not at all! We teach everything from the ground up — from how each piece moves to advanced strategies.

A: Most group and private lessons run for 45–60 minutes, giving plenty of time for instruction and practice games.

A: Yes! We offer one-on-one sessions for students who want personalized coaching and faster improvement.

A: Absolutely. Our classes include supervised games so students can apply what they’ve learned.

A: We provide all the equipment for lessons. Students can bring their own set if they prefer.

A: Yes — we teach tournament rules, notation, time management, and strategies to help students compete with confidence.