A MUSICAL mentor program is developing emerging artists from multicultural backgrounds.

Established by Multicultural Arts Victoria in 2005, Visible is a music-mentorship program linking a diverse array of musicians with some of Melbourne’s best producers.

With the 2011 program now at an end, the artists involved have produced an album - Visible 6 - which will be launched this weekend.

Many of the musicians involved arrived in Australia after fleeing troubles in their homelands. The musicians featured on Visible 6 come from Asian, African and Pacific island nations.

The album includes hip-hop from around the world, sounds of traditional and contemporary Ethiopia, Afro-pop, Sinhalese electro and Burundi drummers. Macc-Too was mentored as part of this year’s program and said Visible had improved her music and helped her integrate into Australian life.

Macc-Too, 21, arrived in Australia from Rwanda three years ago. “I used to do music back home but that was just free styling, not recording professionally,” Macc-Too said. “(The program) works really well and I can produce lots of different music and be confident on the microphone now.”

Macc-Too was mentored by musician and producer Ivan “Choi” Khatchoyan (Cookin’ on Three Burners, True Live). She said she had a strong connection with Khatchoyan and had learned a lot from him.

“He made me love my music more than I thought I could,” Macc-Too said. “I was nervous when first recording but he made me feel confident of what I can do.“Macc-Too hopes to keep recording and dreams of her music reaching international audiences.

“I just want music to be part of my life forever,” she said. Khatchoyan said he had seen a “vast improvement” in Macc-Too’s confidence. The program was rewarding for musicians and mentors, he said. “I enjoy taking the time to give back and really enjoy mentoring kids,” Khatchoyan said.

“I get a lot out of seeing people progress.” Khatchoyan said it was the responsibility of the producers involved in the Visible program to shape the potential talent of the musicians. He said the program helped artists get their music heard by assisting with promotional work, photo shoots and pressing CDs.

“If anyone wanted to do this on their own it would cost a small fortune,” he said. Visible 6 will be launched at CERES in Brunswick East on Saturday (November 26) at 12pm.

Details: multiculturalarts.com.au