Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of a dance competition judge? What does it take to impress the people behind the table?
Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz, professional dancer, educator and owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators, and Lesley Mealor, veteran performer and judge, on Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, as they dive into all things dance competition!
Each week, listen as Courtney and Lesley discuss various hot topics with members of the IDA judges’ roster and other special guests in the dance world, from technique, to costumes, to the dreaded question - “Tights…or no tights?” Stay tuned for special spotlight episodes, round table chats and so much more! Weekly episodes launch every Thursday throughout the dance season! @impactdanceadjudicators
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 64 minutes
- Episodes
- 254
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
A Chat with Your Competition Directors - The 2021 Season
On this special episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA affiliated competitions Diva Dance Competition, Star Talent Productions, Gems Dance C…
Q&A With Courtney LIVE! - December Edition
In the December Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE!, Courtney and special guest Emily Branigan answer your questions on topics including:
- "Creepy" themed dances for minis
- How to get into judging
- Hair …
Age Appropriateness at Competition
Guests - Robb Gibbs and Leslie Scott Zanovitch
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 42 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley hear from special gues…
The Role of Race in Dance
Guests - Michelle Tolson and Max Vasapoli
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 41 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and…
Keeping Jazz Dance Alive - In Studio and On Stage
Guests - Mary Roberts and Terrill Mitchell
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 40 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley talk with jazz dance expert…
Spotlight Feature - Maud Arnold of Syncopated Ladies
On this Spotlight Feature, Courtney and Lesley are joined by Maud Arnold of Syncopated Ladies to chat about her dance journey, the inspiring work she does through The Chloe and Maud Foundation, how h…
Guest Choreography
Guests - Brandon Cournay and Ryann Taylor
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 38 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley hear from IDA judge Brandon …
The 2021 Competition Season - Best Practices For Block Scheduling
Guests - Hillary Zbyszinski and Marissa Anderson
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 37 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges and teachers Hillary and Maris…
How To Create a Stand-Out Video Submission for Virtual Competitions
Guests - Alexandra Frohlinger and Traci Swartz
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 36 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judge…
A Place For Every Dancer - Gender in the Dance Studio
Guests - Jeanette Abell and Paul Thiemann
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 35 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA j…
Q&A With Courtney LIVE! - October Edition
In the October Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE, Courtney and special guest IDA Judge Christina Belinksy answer your questions on topics including:
- Advice for tappers at competition
- Tips for young dan…
Are You Correctly Categorizing Your Dances at Competition?
Guests - Chloe Roberts and Josh Sallerson
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 33 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley explore the challen…
How to Execute Unique Choreography Concepts at Competition
Guests - Samantha Jay and Miranda Spada
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 32 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, hosts Courtney and Lesley chat about how to create…
Making the Most Out of Your Classes - In-studio and Online
Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Kimberly Soel
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 31 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges a…
Spotlight Feature - JT Church
Guests - JT Church and Leslie Church
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 30 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, it's time for our first Spotlight Feature! Courtney a…
Music at Competition
Guests - Jen Garaffa and Jessica Olinik
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 29 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley chat with returning IDA judges…
Navigating the New Normal - The Upcoming Dance Season
Guests - Becky Chiasson and Erika Hogan
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz
In Episode 28 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney sits down with studio owners Becky Chiasson (Spotlight Danc…
Welcome to Season 2!
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
Welcome to Season 2 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! In this episode, hosts Courtney and Lesley catch up on what's been happening since …
Season One - Wrap Up!
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
After 35 episodes, 48 guests, and hundreds of your questions - Season 1 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is coming to a close! Enjoy a …
LIVE Q&A with Courtney and Lesley - May Edition
In the May edition of Q&A With Courtney, Lesley joins the conversation as the hosts record a live-streamed event to answer your questions in real time! Topics include:
- Abusing the levels system
- Pare…