NO matter how talented a person is, it often takes a good mentor to help their skill blossom.

It's all very well having a talented teacher and a pupil eager to learn, but sometimes things can go disastrously wrong.

In any environment there are always two people whose personalities clash with disastrous end results.

Worcester's Huntingdon Hall was only too aware of this, so when it came to its folk mentoring scheme, the management made sure that each mentor would gel with his or her pupil, who was in each case a professional musician.

Huntingdon Hall launched the scheme, Passing Notes, at the end of last year, linking young folk musicians to experienced, established professionals.

As a result, musical harmony will soon heard at the Hall when the six youngsters involved in the pioneering take part in a series of workshops and gigs with their mentors.

We had to decide which pupil would go with which professional musician because, if a professional relationship doesn't work, the whole mentoring scheme will go downhill. They've got to like each other,'' said Esther Blaine, the Hall's assistant director.

Esther and director Chris Jaeger allowed the mentors to decide who they would work with best.

It's worked very well. Some of the pupils are in contact with their mentors by e-mail, or by phone, says Esther.

We suggested they have time out with their mentors to listen to music together and practice skills.

The scheme is backed by the Musicians Union and funded by a regional arts Lottery award from West Midlands Arts.

Banjo and guitar player Damien O'Kane, from Newcastle, is being mentored by Joe Broughton, of The Albion Band.

The 24-year-old will be performing with The Albion Band on Friday, April 26, and leading a workshop with Joe Broughton between 11am and 1pm on Saturday, April 27.

Matt Nelson, aged 22, of West Yorkshire, who plays saxophone and guitar, is being mentored by Andy Cutting, from folk duo Wood and Cutting.

Jim Moray, 21, of Birmingham, who plays drums and guitar and also sings, is being mentored by Chris Wood, the other half of Wood and Cutting.

Hemel Hempstead-based Daniel Hollinghurst, 23, who plays piano and trumpet, is also being mentored by Chris Wood. Matt, Jim and Daniel will all be performing with Wood and Cutting on Friday, May 17, and will be leading a workshop with the group.

Birmingham musician Debbie Chalmers, 22, plays fiddle and is being mentored by folk artist Karen Tweed.

Debbie will perform with folk musicians Karen Tweed and Roger Wilson on Friday, June 21, and will be leading a workshop with Karen Tweed between 11am and 1pm the following day.

The workshop will be a song arrangement event open to instrumentalists of any age who have been playing for at least two years.

Twenty-two-year-old Gjenya Tambray, from Devon, who plays guitar and sings, is being mentored by Kellie While, of African Celtic band e2k and The Albion Band.

She will play with e2k on Friday, July 12 and will be leading a vocal workshop with Kellie While on Saturday, July 13 between 11am and 1pm. The workshops cost £5 for adults, £2 for under-16s.

This mentoring scheme is everything to do with becoming a professional musician. They are putting themselves across on stage, marketing themselves and the business skills needed to get themselves known. It's gone extremely well so far, said Esther Blaine.