We want our policies to be transparent. As such, they are laid out here so that we are on the same page at all times about how Blue Balloon operates.

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  • Cancellations with less than 48 hours' notice: You will still be charged for the lesson. Please note that if your child or someone in your household has a communicable illness, you will be required to cancel your child's lesson and will still have to pay for the class unless we receive 48 hours’ notice.

    Reschedule requests with more than 48 hours' notice: Each student is allowed 3 cancellations (with at least 48 hours' notice!) which will be applied as a credit towards future classes if makeups are unable to be scheduled. If your instructor has to miss a lesson, he/she will make it up or Blue Balloon will do our best to offer you a makeup lesson or a substitute during your regular lesson time.

    Lessons that fall on Holidays: Lessons on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are automatically canceled. If you would like to cancel a lesson on any other holiday, please be sure to give us at least 48 hours' notice and your instructor or Blue Balloon will schedule a makeup. These holiday makeups will not count towards your three allowable makeups.

    We are unable to reschedules or cancel makeup lessons!

    SNOW DAY AND EMERGENCY CLOSURE POLICY: If there is a DOE snow day, or we are unable to conduct in-person lessons for any reason, we will hold lessons virtually. Please note that there are no refunds.

    Please also note: our Hamptons lessons have a different cancellation policy.

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    Please note that our virtual camps have no credits or refunds but you’re welcome to have another child join in your place!

  • Payment is due at the beginning of the semester through the main office. Teachers are never to be paid by you directly. You pay your instructor through Blue Balloon. Invoices are due upon receipt. A 15% fee per month is added to any unpaid invoices more than 15 days past due. We reserve the right to cancel lessons due to delinquent payment. Please note that there are no refunds and fees are non-transferable, but with two weeks' notice to discontinue lessons, you will receive a credit towards future classes. 

  • A parent, guardian or caregiver must be present at all lessons for any students 18 and under. I agree not to directly or indirectly engage my Blue Balloon network teacher for lessons or other work and acknowledge that such action constitutes a breach of this agreement.

  • Our two greatest relationships when it comes to Blue Balloon are with our clients and with the fantastic music teachers in our network of independent instructors. Because this is so important to us, you agree not to directly or indirectly engage a Blue Balloon network teacher for lessons or other work and acknowledge that such action would constitute a breach of this agreement. In the event that you breach this covenant and hire any of the instructors who provide services to clients of Blue Balloon, including yourself, you will be obligated to pay Blue Balloon $10,000 in liquidated damages.

  • Upon initial registration, parents are given the option to exclude their child from any Blue Balloon social media or marketing materials. The consent is copied below:

    Parent and/or Student hereby consents to and authorizes Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People to capture and use video-audio recordings and photographic images of Student and Student’s musical performances and quoted statements in print, electronic, or online media, for educational and Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People promotional purposes only, without any compensation to Parent or Student. Parent and/or Student agrees to waive and release any and all claims Parent and/or student may have against Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People relating to the use of these recordings, images, or statements. This Consent is binding upon all heirs and future legal representatives. Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People will not personally identify a minor child by full name in connection with a video recording or photographic image of the child, unless Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People receives separate written signed consent from the Parent.

  • ConfidentialityBy registering for lessons, I understand that my child may be taught using methods that are not publicly known and are proprietary and confidential to Blue Balloon, to the extent the instructor(s) uses Blue Balloon methods, materials, and practices. Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, trade secrets, teaching methods, materials and practices. I agree to not copy, disclose or reveal any proprietary and/or Confidential Information to any third parties without express written consent by Blue Balloon.

  • By reaching out to us, you consent to receiving texts and emails from Blue Balloon School for business and lesson communication purposes only. Message and data rates may apply. Please email admin@blueballoonschool.com if you wish to opt-out.

  • The release is copied below:

    I hereby release Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People, its members, agents and volunteers of all liability. By signing this release, I understand that I am absolving and releasing others from liability from their own negligent acts, even if I am not at fault in any way. In consideration of my/my child’s participation in classes or other activities at or associated with Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People, I agree to assume full responsibility for them, their heirs, executors, and administrators, waive and release and forever discharge any and all rights and claims for damages which they may have or which occur to them, for all damages which may be sustained and suffered by them in connection with their association with or entry into Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People activities or which may arise out of their participation in these activities. I expressly assume all of the risks inherent in these activities.

  • The agreement is copied below:

    We have been cautioned by public officials to maintain social distancing and, where it cannot be maintained, to wear masks. We have also been cautioned by the CDC to do a number of things such as washing hands frequently, and to avoid certain things such as touching our faces and interacting with others when we have a fever or are not feeling well. Blue Balloon fully supports all of the guidelines issued by our governor, our state and local public health officials, and the CDC. We all take risks during this public health crisis but take steps to minimize those risks. By agreeing to resume face-to-face songwriting and music instruction, the family acknowledges the risk of contracting COVID-19 and agree to protect themselves by taking all steps required by law as well as those recommended by state and local public health officials and the CDC. Parents also agree to instruct their children and all others in their household, including any other children, to take all such steps when a songwriting and music instructor is present. The instructor and the parents (on their own behalf and on behalf of their children) waive any claim against the other party and against Rachel Lipson or her company, Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People LLC or Lauren Balthrop or their company Blue Balloon Songwriting School Nashville LLC as a result of the negligence of such party in keeping the other party free from contracting COVID-19. Stay safe and create songs and music that will lift up our spirits!