Welcome to the Blue Balloon Community!
Blue Balloon is instrument instruction through songwriting, so unless we've planned otherwise, you can expect your child to be writing songs and learning how to play an instrument simultaneously. Blue Balloon was founded by Rachel Lipson, a lifelong musician and songwriter who began her career teaching at the elite private school, Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights. Rachel launched Blue Balloon in 2010 and has organically grown the company and community from a one-woman school in a studio in Brooklyn, to a talented roster of over 60 teachers (many of whom are professional musicians) that are welcomed into the homes of over 400 students throughout New York City, The Hamptons and Nashville each week.
What can I expect from Blue Balloon lessons?
Your child is about to begin lessons with one of our amazing teachers who has a unique, creative and fun teaching style. Our lesson plans are tailored to each individual student so your child will be learning at his or her own pace. The concept behind Blue Balloon is instrument instruction through songwriting, so unless we've planned otherwise, you can expect your child to be writing songs and learning how to play an instrument simultaneously. You should periodically receive emailed recordings and video clips of your budding songwriter, which become lifelong mementos and allow you to see your child’s progress.
What equipment/materials do we need for our lessons?
Your child should own any instrument you would like them to study for their lessons and to practice in between. Click HERE for a list of instruments we recommend, but please email us if you’d like specific recommendations for your child’s needs. You will receive a Blue Balloon notebook by mail within weeks of signing up. Please be sure to always keep it in a safe place so it doesn't get lost!
Do I need to sit in on the lessons?
An adult other than the teacher must be home for all students under the age of 18. There are no exceptions on this policy! That said, we recommend that parents, caregivers and siblings are not in the room during the lesson. If you're inclined to listen in (we get it!), please be a "fly on the wall" in another room whenever possible so your child can get the most out of the classes. Your presence changes the dynamic of the class, so we highly recommend giving the teacher and your child space to establish a rapport and routine on their own.
Can you recommend a good place in our home for the lessons?
The best place in your home will be the room with the least amount of distractions. Our teachers will do their best to help you find the space that's most conducive to learning. If you have questions, please ask us or ask your teacher during the lesson.
Who do I contact for questions and/or schedule changes?
The Blue Balloon scheduling team is here to serve! We usually respond within 5 minutes for anything urgent.
Text us at (917) 789 - 1600 or email lessons@blueballoonschool.com
How does billing work?
We will email you an invoice for the full semester before your child’s first class. The invoice is payable online (Credit card, Venmo, Zelle) or by check in the mail. Please note that our teachers cannot accept payment directly.
What is the cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours' notice if you need to reschedule a lesson. Please click HERE to read more about our policies!
How can I can support my child’s learning in between lessons and encourage a practice routine?
Click HERE for some great tips! If you still have questions, and feel free to reach out to us anytime for recommendations on instruments and other supportive tools.
Is there a recital?
Students perform their own original songs at our annual “Spring Songwriting Showcase” held at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and at a location TBD in Nashville. Rather than having the usual “recital”, all of our students have the unique experience of performing in public, plugged-in like pros! Our showcases are usually listed in the New York Times (no big deal) and are the highlight of our students' years.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK to see photos and videos from the BB community
(and please share and tag @blueballoonschool in your child’s rock star photos too!)
Blue Balloon was founded by Rachel Lipson, an accomplished educator, prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who has toured in Europe and the UK, and recorded twice at BBC Radio One in London. She began her career teaching at an elite private preschool in Brooklyn and launched Blue Balloon in 2010. What started as a one-woman school in a studio in Brooklyn Heights has organically grown into a company and community with a talented roster of over 60 teachers (many of whom are professional musicians). Blue Balloon teachers are welcomed into the homes of over 400 students throughout New York City, The Hamptons and Nashville each week.
Rachel lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with her husband, two small boys and their Border Collie mix, Finn.
Reach out to us anytime with questions! We are so excited to get started!
