Melissa Axel is an L.A. based lyricist/songwriter and creator fueled by the joy of infusing every story with meaning and magic.  Be it 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.  Passionate about projects rooted in inclusion and belonging, Axel contributed the original song “Fall This Hard” to the award-winning LGBTQ+ film WHO'S AFRAID OF VAGINA WOLF? and co-wrote the end credits songs for a number of Easterseals Disability Film Challenge shorts, including WHITNEY’S WEDDING (BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM, Focus On Ability Film Festival).  Axel also co-wrote 11 songs for DRIVEN: MODERN MUSICALS ABOUT L.A. ARTISTS and co-produced a concert reading of these 9 mini-musicals.

As a creative producer, Axel helped develop online variety specials such as SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, uniting the biggest names in film and TV music to raise money for MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund (The Recording Academy / GRAMMY®s charity affiliate), and the HFPA’s virtual grants celebration EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION, for which Axel also co-directed the finale performance by over 50 young creators. Having helped produce live-to-film concerts at the Hollywood Bowl for Disney and worked with legendary composer and songwriter Alan Menken, Axel has 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 create with new voices and share fresh stories with the world.