[2][3] She initially studied theatre, at the École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris, and later at the Holden School in Turin, where she now teaches an annual French translation workshop.
[3][4] Balmelli has translated works by several notable authors from French and English into Italian, including Sally Rooney, Aleksandar Hemon, Martin Amis, Wallace Stegner, Ian McEwan, Mary Gaitskill, Miriam Toews, J.M.G.
Le Clézio, Emmanuel Carrère, Agota Kristof, Tahar Ben Jelloun, Marie Darrieussecq, Jean Echenoz, Cormac McCarthy, Noëlle Revaz, Yasmina Reza, and Fred Vargas.
[5] In 2022, she was awarded the Swiss Federal Office of Culture's Special Prize for Translation, and was cited as "one of the most significant translators from French and English to Italian," and commended for building "...bridges between different literatures, dedicating a constant, precious commitment to teaching and training.
[6] Her recent translations of Sally Rooney's books, Normal People and Beautiful World, Where Are You, received critical appreciation in the Italian press.