Queen of the Scream: Vocal Coach Melissa Cross

Published March 21, 2006 at 3:01 PM EST

An instructional DVD/CD set called The Zen of Screaming targets a very specific clientele: singers who literally scream for a living.

Voice coach Melissa Cross, a classically trained singer and former punk rocker, has developed a method to help vocalists belt out their lyrics -- without ruining their voices. She talks to Robert Siegel about her techniques and the philosophy behind them.

Rocker Andrew W.K., best known for the raucous, good-time anthem "It's Time to Party," has studied with Cross for three years. He describes what he's learned from her and also talks about his newfound comfort in singing Barry Manilow songs.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

Protect Connecticut Public