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
Q&A with Courtney - December Edition
In the December Edition of Q&A With Courtney, Courtney (and a few special guests) answer your questions on topics including:
- Performance vs. Technique
- What makes a dancer stand out
- Proper level to p…
Why Technique Will Never Go out of Style
In this episode of Making the Impact, Courtney and Lesley chat with Erika Hebron and Mary Roberts about the benefits of technique in all styles of dance. This episode covers:
- Ideas for keeping techn…
Investing in the Future of Dance - Interview with Just Dance Invitational
On this week's special episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney interviews Sandra Choi, owner of Just Dance Invitational! The show includes:
- The backstory behind Just Dan…
Boys in Dance
Today, Courtney and Lesley sit down with male dancers and IDA Judges Eddie Bennett, Colin Shea Denniston, and Robb Gibbs to talk about their experiences in the industry, from studio to stage. This ep…
Age Range Expectations
On this week's episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney chats with teachers and IDA judges Emily, Jessica, and Miranda about the expectations for each age range at competi…
Q&A with Courtney - November Edition
In the November Edition of Q&A With Courtney, Courtney (and a few special guests) answer your questions on topics including:
- Age expectations at competition
- Transitions within routines
- Judges’ prefe…
Choreography
Hosts - Courtney Ortiz, Lesley Mealor
Guests - Adrienne Hicks, Joey Ortolani
In Episode 6 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and choreog…
The Diva Difference - Interview with Diva Dance Competition
Guests - Anne Roberts and Kym Yadisernia
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz
On this week's special episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney interviews Anne Roberts and Kym Yadi…
Lyrical vs. Contemporary - Separating the Styles
Guests - Christina Fuschetto, Maddie Kurtz
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 3 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judge…
Competition Cleaning - Perfecting Your Routines
Guests: Chloe Roberts, Christina Young Yoder Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 2 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges…
10 Tips for Dance Convention Training
Guests - Casie Goshow, Derek Mitchell, Jim Nowakowski, DJ Smart Host - Courtney Ortiz
In Episode 3 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney is joined by four sought-after convent…
Q&A with Courtney - October Edition
Host - Courtney Ortiz
In the October Edition of Q&A With Courtney, Courtney (and a few special guests) answer your questions on topics including:
- Levels at competition
- How to stand out in the crowd …
What Dance Competitions Taught Me
Guests: Troy Haywood, Ash Marinelli
Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 1 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley chat with IDA judges Troy Haywood …
Meet the Hosts of Making The Impact!
Intro Episode: Meet the Hosts of Making The Impact!
Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In the intro episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, hosts Courtney Ortiz and Lesle…