Internationally renowned classical trumpet soloist, Alison Balsom, spoke to Natalie Shooter as she prepares for her concert at Al Bustan Festival.

Since winning ‘Female Artist of the Year’ at the Classical Brits in 2009, Alison Balsom has raised the profile of the classical solo trumpet, and brought a touch of glamour to what is a typically male-dominated instrument. Picking up the trumpet at the tender age of seven, Balsom’s story is not one of a privileged child, with a specialist music education; she went to a normal school, with Saturdays spent at the Guildhall Junior Orchestra.

She was inspired to pick up the trumpet after hearing a tape of jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. ‘The way he plays it sounds as if he’s making it sing. I still always try to recreate that same sound.’ Balsom has carved out a unique place for herself in the classical world as one of the few talented soloist trumpeters, headlining at The Last Night of the BBC Proms and receiving a mantelpiece full of awards. Balsam heads to Lebanon this March to play a concert with the renowned pianist Tom Poster at the Al Bustan festival, but first talked to Time Out about life as a trumpet player.

How did you first get into classical music?
I think it’s quite a natural process to go down this route when you’re at school; you do grade exams and get very formal classical training. There weren’t any jazz bands at school, so this is just the way it went for me. I still listen to jazz, but it’s such a different form of training, it influences me indirectly. Not long after playing the trumpet I realised I loved classical music.

What was the turning point that pushed you to leave the London Chamber Orchestra behind and pursue a solo career?
I was forced to leave! I was working as a soloist more and more, but still enjoyed seeing my friends at the orchestra, most of who I’d played with in the National Youth Orchestra. My agent and record label told me I couldn’t keep turning up at the back of the orchestra! I realised that at some point you have to put all your eggs in one basket.

Do you think classical music education is lacking in schools?
I think it’s really sad how little importance is put on music in schools. I really believe it’s Important for everyone. It’s such a great way of expressing yourself and a fantastic discipline away from all the academic stuff, so it’s extraordinary how far down the list music education is.

Do you find it frustrating that you’re automatically glamorised as a female trumpet player?
I understand why it happens. It’s a way to sell things, so I do it but I make a massive effort to never encroach on the actual music making. Whenever I do something high profile it’s celebrity driven, but there still needs to be substance there. I never compromise the repertoire I play and I never do crossovers. It’s just a case of how you present yourself to the public.

What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on a new piece by James MacMillan. I’m also working on the program for the Al Bustan Festival with pianist Tom Poster. It’s one of the most challenging things to do a piano and trumpet recital. It’s important to play a really solid repertoire and the whole thing has to make sense.

What are your ambitions for the future?
I’d like to do more of the same as I have been doing; have a long, slow burning career and continue trying to explore the instrument. The longer it goes on the more opportunities I have to go to great places and meet interesting people, and that’s what I’m really enjoying.

Alison Balsom and Tom Poster, Mar 11, 8.30pm at Al Bustan International Festival (03 752000) Emile Bustani Auditorium, Al Bustan. Tickets $55, $85, $115. For more information about the rest of Al Bustan International Festival visit www.albustanfestival.com