But that is exactly how this long-legged blonde has made her mark in the fiercely competitive world of classical music.
She has performed with some of the world’s leading orchestras and in May, won the much coveted Classical Brit Award Female Artist of the Year.
Today, Alison may well be one of the few classical trumpet players who is recognisable to people on the street.
A week ago, she took centre-stage in the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms. She performs highlights of the trumpet repertoire with the Irish Chamber Orchestra in Limerick, Dublin and Cork September 24-27.
Alison picked up her instrument at the age of eight and seamlessly moved from free lessons at school and being a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain to studying Håkan Hardenberger as well as signing a contract with EMI.
Her programme with the ICO features two masterpieces – by Joseph Haydn and Johann Hummel.
“Both composers were inspired by the playing of this one virtuoso, Anton Weidinger, who invented a ‘keyed’ trumpet in the 1790s,” Balsom explains. “The Haydn concerto I’ve played since childhood – I played its slow movement for my Grade VI exam, when I was about 11 – but it’s such a wonderful piece that I never get bored with it. I’ve tried to strip it of all the additions and vibrato and give it a Classical feel without losing its heart”.
The Haydn and Hummel concerti feature alongside one the great symphonies of all time, Beethoven’s Eroica.
An attractive season subscription package offers significant financial savings, as well as a range of extra benefits. Buy a season ticket (euro 125) to the ICO’s five season concerts and get a concert free
