Melissa Cross is an American vocal coach known for her technical improvements in screaming.[
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Early life and education
Cross grew up in Texas, where she enjoyed participating in ballet, piano, and choir. She graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School,[
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Career
After graduating, she initially moved to California, eventually settling in New York in the 1980s. In New York, she worked for record companies and music-business lawyers. She also played in punk bands.[ Cross damaged her vocal cords trying to achieve the sounds she wanted, causing her to research speech pathology, speech therapy, and the mechanisms of speaking in an effort to heal herself.][ She also found ways to scream without hurting herself as a result. In the mid-1990s, Cross was asked by a friend to train vocalists of bands he was producing music for, noticing that those vocalists were also damaging their voices.][ Her association with those bands allowed Cross to use her classical voice training in combination with the new techniques she discovered.][ The typical lesson focuses on techniques to reduce strain on the vocal cords, which is the main source of injury.]
Cross's first student was going to be Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, although he never appeared for his lesson.[
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In 2005, Cross released an instructional DVD, which taught viewers the basics of screaming vocal techniques, titled The Zen of Screaming: Vocal Instruction for a New Breed.[ The tutorial became a cult classic amongst peers in the metal scene.][
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In 2008, it was reported in The Seattle Times that Cross had taught a master's class at Columbia University, focusing on screaming techniques.[
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Through her career, Cross has worked with prominent musicians and bands, including Jonathan Davis of Korn, Courtney Love of Hole,[ Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy,][ Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage,][ Randy Blythe of Lamb of God, Andrew W.K., Melissa Auf der Maur, Slipknot, Sick of It All, Thursday, Shadows Fall,][ Slayer,][ Unearth,][
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Filmography
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| The Zen of Screaming: Vocal Instruction for a New Breed |
| The Zen of Screaming 2 |
Recognition
In July 2025, Cross was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University.
