Melissa Axel

Biography

Based in Los Angeles, Melissa Axel is a lyricist fueled by a passion for storytelling and the joy of infusing every song with meaning and magic. Be it for animation, musicals, TV, or film, Axel weaves words into each project’s narrative tapestry with the instinct of an artist, the skill of a craftsperson, and the care of a close friend.

Axel wrote lyrics for the animated short STAR DATE and co-wrote the songs for HAIR DAY and SLIGHTLY COMPOSED in DRIVEN: MODERN MUSICALS ABOUT L.A. ARTISTS. Axel’s song “Fall This Hard” was featured in the award-winning LGBTQ film WHO'S AFRAID OF VAGINA WOLF?, and Axel co-wrote end credits songs for various Easterseals Disability Film Challenge shorts, including WHITNEY’S WEDDING (winner BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM, Focus On Ability Short Film Festival).

In 2020, Axel produced online variety specials such as SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, which united the biggest names in film and TV music to raise money for the MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief Fund (a charity affiliate of The Recording Academy / GRAMMY®s). For this show, Axel wrote new lyrics for the LA LA LAND parody “Another Day Inside” and went on to co-write new lyrics to THE GREATEST SHOWMAN’s “This Is Me” for HFPA PHILANTHROPY: EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION virtual grants celebration, of which Axel was also a creative producer and co-director of the finale performance by over 50 different youth from HFPA-funded programs.

Experience as a singer/songwriter and producer of live-to-film concert celebrations, including Disney legend Alan Menken’s solo show A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF ALAN MENKEN, have helped Axel hone a keen ear for sonic quality and a thoughtful approach to collaboration. With a deep love for bringing emotion to life through music, Axel is always excited to write with new voices and share fresh stories with the world.