Bello Winter Music Opens 2016 Youth Mentorship Program

Bello Winter Music has opened applications to its Youth Mentorship Program, which pairs emerging artists under the age of 19 with established musicians on the festival bill.

The selected young artists will receive a rehearsal session with their mentor, a 20-minute slot at the festival, backstage access to their mentor's performance and a weekend pass to the festival.

This year's mentors include Byron Bay singer-songwriter Merryn Jean mentoring the Under 15 category; indie folk-rock duo Miss Eileen & King Lear mentoring the Singer Songwriter category; soul/blues legend Jo Jo Smith mentoring the Vocal category; and drumming extraordinaire Kai Tipping mentoring the Band category.

Last year's Band section winner, The Brothers, are returning on the festival's official line-up.

"It's a really big thing for us being in the festival because it's a chance for us to be on stage and doing what we love together," The Brothers' band leader Marko Kisose said. "It meant a lot to us to win the mentoring program because it shows that people are recognising what we are doing."

The program is considered one of the most important parts of the festival, which prides itself in nurturing young talent in music. Bello Winter Music also recently announced an extensive sustainability and environmental program, on top of its already impressive line-up of arts and music.

See the website to apply before 10 June, to be involved as a volunteer or stallholder, or for more information. The full line-up and festival program are now available here.