mVm—a voice and acting technique

mVm Online Classes & Training

At mVm, we believe that your voice—your true, authentic voice—deserves to be heard. That’s why we’ve created a space where you can break free from old habits, develop new skills, and communicate with presence and ease.

mVm Gym - Weekly Live Classes

May 27 - July 19 - Summer Classes

Tuesdays: 7:30–8:30 PM ET

Saturdays: 11:00 AM–12:00 PM ET

$18/drop in*

*Pay with debit card, credit card, Cash App, Klarna, and other flexible payment options.

Learn and practice targeted exercises to strengthen your communication skills, boost confidence, and enhance body awareness.

  • Experience an hour-long live, guided workout, including mVm core exercises, warm up skills, and a chance to reconnect with your own Active Breath.

    This is a practical, somatic (body-based) approach to mVm–appropriate for newbies and old hats. Beginners will receive enough instruction to approach exercises effectively, while mVm veterans will have an opportunity to reconnect with fundamentals and hone their technique.

  • Spring:

    • Tuesdays, April 1 to May 20
      7:30 to 8:30pm EDT (New York)
      4:30 to 5:30pm PDT (Los Angeles)

    • Saturdays, April 5 to May 24
      11:00am to 12:00am EDT (New York)
      8:00 to 9:00am PDT (Los Angeles)

    Summer:

    • Tuesdays, May 27 to July 15
      7:30 to 8:30pm EDT (New York)
      4:30 to 5:30pm PDT (Los Angeles)

    • Saturdays, May 31 to July 19
      11:00am to 12:00am EDT (New York)
      8:00 to 9:00am PDT (Los Angeles)

    • $100 unlimited for one month (30-days of access from the time you sign up)

    • $175 season unlimited (join any class in the term: winter, spring, summer, fall)

    • $18 Drop In Class* (48 hr access)

    *Do not purchase Drop In Class more than 48 hours before the class you are planning to attend.

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Online Presence Training

Improve Your Presence, Performance & Communication Skills:

  • Stay grounded & present, even under pressure

  • Vocal techniques to build confidence and command attention

  • Physical presence tools to captivate any audience effortlessly

Start your 7-day free trial today 

What is mVm?

mVm is a voice technique–like Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Chuck Jones–that puts breath at the core of your acting craft. 

mVm is also an acting technique–like Michael Chekhov, Uta Hagen, Stanislavski–that considers both text and character when building a performance.

Unlike other techniques, mVm is primarily interested in the audience’s experience and relationship to the performance.

Many mVm acting exercises focus on the audience perception and how it may align or differ from the performer’s experience.

Historically, this audience focus has been the job of the director, writer, playwright, or editor. mVm broadens that awareness to the actor, empowering them to take ownership of this shared responsibility.

It all starts with Active Breath…

The Active Breath “is a continuous flow of inhale and exhale without the pauses or holds at the top or bottom of the breath, which would normally occur in passive breathing states.”

Scott Miller, John Patrick, Liam Joynt & Kristi Dana (2018): Vocal Traditions: Miller Voice Method, Voice and Speech Review, 12:1, 86-95, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2018.1435610

“The voice is fueled by the thought/imagination, the impulse and the breath. The Active Breath, specifically, removes the barrier for time to control or manipulate the expression.”

Kristi Dana (2021): Unearthing “Vocal Transparency”: The Integration of the Miller Voice Method and Michael Chekhov Technique, Voice and Speech Review, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2021.1896246

“We develop each actor’s full melodic range, placement, and tempo suppleness in order to deliver intonation that supports strong and clear points of view, which opens the gateway for the audience to see more of themselves.”

Scott Miller, John Patrick, Liam Joynt & Kristi Dana (2018): Vocal Traditions: Miller Voice Method, Voice and Speech Review, 12:1, 86-95, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2018.1435610

“We devise exercises aimed at partnering with intuition over prediction. We understand prediction is a fundamental way our species survives. However, in the safe space of acting, intuition (not prediction) creates compelling moments.”

Scott Miller, John Patrick, Liam Joynt & Kristi Dana (2018): Vocal Traditions: Miller Voice Method, Voice and Speech Review, 12:1, 86-95, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2018.1435610

“The breath should be guiding the show, and the flow, instead of me leading an agenda. The allowing of active breath to lead, caused a more authentic moving of text and body.”

Kristi Dana (24 Oct 2023): Unearthing “Vocal Transparency” Part Two: The Integration of the Miller Voice Method and the Michael Chekhov Technique—Breath for Transformation, Voice and Speech Review, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2023.2272553

But don’t take our word for it…

  • Black and white portrait of an older woman with curly hair, smiling at the camera.

    “I love Scott’s work because it is anatomically based and psychologically astute. It is a psycho-physical approach that demands the student’s full commitment to looking at their habitual body with open eyes. I have seen the results. Change will happen; open body, open voice, open heart. I highly recommend this method of training.”

    Fay Simpson

    Founder of Lucid Body Institute

    Author of The Lucid Body, A Guide for the Physical Actor

  • Close-up of a professional RED camera setup with a monitor outdoors, used for filmmaking.

    “I had my first gig after school—just a day player spot on a show—and I used everything you taught me to prepare. All of the training under duress stuff you taught is insanely valuable, because it’s so insanely distracting on set. Anyway, all of this is to say THANK YOU. I have much to learn but I am so grateful for the tools you introduced me to.”

    Jared Canfield

    Actor

  • Person taking a selfie with a Samsung smartphone

    “I will never look at my self tapes in the same way ever again. The breathing, the Active Breath can be used to improve and vary my acting. Remembering to breathe will help with relaxation as well.”

    mVm Academy student

  • Colorful balloons floating in a clear blue sky.

    “I had no expectations, so it was 100% new delights. Towards the end, I had a really big release in my voice -- I felt like I released many years of stored tension. It helped me in 9 billion ways. It helps us find our own authenticity. I think it's very empowering.”

    mVm Academy student

  • Snow-capped mountain peak surrounded by clouds

    “Wonderful teacher and insightful explorations. I absolutely love [mVm]. It is simple and yet revealing. This course strengthens focus, releases tensions in the body under duress and improves your performance work.”

    mVm Academy student

  • Portrait of a person with long hair wearing a blue shirt, smiling softly against a neutral background.

    “I teach and I direct and have found that because of what mVm reveals I can see the actors in a sharper, richer, more vulnerable and more expansive way. I am present in a different way and in that presence I am able to receive more information that helps me better lead the actors.”

    Tia James

    mVm Teacher-in-Training, mVm Associated Teacher, Actor and Director, UNC Chapel Hill/PlayMakers Rep.

  • Woman with long blonde hair wearing a denim jacket and textured top, smiling slightly in front of a gray background.

    “Having studied many different voice techniques, mVm is the first one to give me the tools to measurably support my breath and my voice, both literally and figuratively. It’s helped me approach acting and speaking with ease and breath instead of tension and muscularity. I’ve gained confidence, technique, and presence as an mVm practitioner. So thankful for the skills I’ve gained as an actor, a speaker, and voice educator!”

    Deanna Ott

    Actor, Voice Coach

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