This new book employs music to tackle issues around mental health and bullying often faced by today’s teens. Written by celebrity vocal coach and mentor to rising stars of The X Factor and The Voice, CeCe Sammy, the debut educational guide uses music therapy techniques to help young people overcome societal pressures and challenges. If You Can Speak, You Can Sing draws upon CeCe’s professional life as a vocal and motivational coach and her personal life as a survivor of a brain aneurysm, which left her unable to speak or breathe independently. CeCe believes music played a vital role in her recovery as, whilst recuperating in the hospital, she saw a direct correlation between music and an increase in her mental and physical stimulation. As well as offering vocal tips and tricks, If You Can Speak, You Can Singfeatures real-life stories of rising music stars Asher Knight and Luena Martinez, both of whom have experienced bullying, anxiety and low self-esteem. Alongside CeCe, Asher and Luena are currently touring schools around the UK, offering students the chance to take part in an If You Can Speak, You Can Singmasterclass. These will showcase the music therapy techniques set out in the guide, whilst helping to inspire students by hearing first hand examples of how music has helped young people to overcome adversity. Also hosting the masterclasses will be 15-year-old former Open Mic UK competition winner Denis Coleman, who addresses handling school work and exam pressures with his peers, and 21-year-old former Brit School student James CC, who teaches youth empowerment exercises.
