A new book is set to use 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 Sing features 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 Sing masterclass. 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.

The tour is part of CeCe’s ‘Power of Muzik’ initiative, which visits schools up and down the UK to encourage open conversation around mental health and inspire young people to use music as a medium to help tackle issues, such as anxiety or depression. The book also includes lyrics to songs exclusively created for the Power of Muzik schools tour, including ‘Shake’, written and performed by 90’s RnB legend Sonique, which can all be streamed on Spotify or on the Power of Muzik website. CeCe Sammy comments, “I hope that my new book will encourage young people to use music to help them face issues such as anxiety head on. It’s an educational tool that promotes positivity, confidence and openness through the power of music. Today’s teenagers face so many challenges as they grow up, so I can’t wait to showcase the techniques in UK schools to inspire and empower young people.”

If You Can Speak, You Can Sing is published by Eyewear and priced at £10.00, available to buy on Amazon and all good retailers from 11 February 2019. It was designed by master designer Malcolm Garrett, famed for creating the 80s look for all the major albums for Duran Duran, Buzzcocks, Simple Minds, Culture Club, and other iconic acts.

Free copies will also be given to every state school visited by the Power of Muzik tour in 2019.

For more information about CeCe Sammy, the Power of Muzik and If You Can Speak, You Can Sing visit: http://www.powerofmuzik.com/wp/ or email cecesammy@tinmancomms.com

NOTES TO EDITORS ABOUT CECE SAMMY CeCe Sammy is best known for her TV appearances and behind the scenes contributions vocal coach, judge and talent scout on various music and entertainment shows such as: The Choir: Gareth’s Best in Britain, Pop Idol, America’s Got Talent, American Idol, X Factor, The Voice UK and many others. Most recently, CeCe features on the BBC 1 Show This is My Song, where she helps singer Charles prepare his voice for a specific recording after his double lung transplant. CeCe has been involved with talent such as Spice Girls, Charlotte Church, Russell Watson, S Club 7, Beverly Knight, Michael Ball, Will Young and Leona Lewis. Most recently, CeCe has worked with Idris Elba, John Martin, of Swedish House Mafia, and Mo Adeniran, who won last year’s The Voice. CeCe was also appointed as part of the Voting Academy for the Brit Awards 2017 as part of their move towards a more inclusive judging panel.

ABOUT THE POWER OF MUZIK Created by CeCe Sammy, the Power of Muzik uses music therapy techniques and powerful messaging within music to educate and spread positive advice to young people going through personal challenges, mental health issues and bullying. Performers who frequently attended the schools tour include Asher Knight, a rising music star, and original member of the Power of Muzik collective, who experienced physical and emotional bullying first hand, as well as former X Factor contestant, Luena Martinez. Throughout the 2019 tour, the duo will be hosting Power of Muzik masterclasses of CeCe Sammy’s debut book, If You Can Speak, You Can Sing.