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
Appropriateness of Choreography in Competitive Dance
Guests - Debbi Sampson and Tommy Scrivens
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 140 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are tackling the topic of appropriateness o…
Spotlight Feature - Derek Mitchell
Guest: Derek Mitchell
Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
Derek Mitchell has been a staple in the NYC dance scene for decades, teaching and inspiring dancers of all ages. His experience ranges f…
How To Brand Yourself As A Dancer
Guests - Justine Menter and Sam Quinn
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 138 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judge and publicist Sam Quinn and industry coa…
I Want To Be a Rockette
Guests -Allyson Kelly and Paige Williams
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 137 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two former Radio City Rockettes…
Handling Jealousy at the Dance Studio
Guests - Ellen Marshall and Katie Kruse
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 136 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking about the green-eyed monster - jea…
Why Counting your Music is Essential in Dance
Guests - Damien Bassman and Kaelyn Gray
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 135 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by tap dance educator and owner of …
Studio Spotlight - Canadian Dance Company
Guests: Allain Lupien & Andrew Insanally
Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
Canadian Dance Company from outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada has been a staple in the dance industry for over 30 ye…
Transitions - The Most Important Part of A Dance Routine
Guests - Maddie Kurtz and Jonathan McGill
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 133 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking about transitions - those all-im…
How To Keep Dancers Physically Safe in Competitive Training
Guests - Jaimie Goodwin and Maria Haralambis, M.Ed., NASM CES, FMT
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 132 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by dance…
Spotlight Feature - Teddy Forance
Guest: Teddy Forance
Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
As a fourth-generation dancer, Teddy Forance has had an incredible career in the dance industry, from performing with the likes of Cirque …
All About Headshots & Resumes!
Guest - Sean Webb
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 130 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, casting director and former professional dancer and comp kid Sean Webb …
Stealing Choreography - Unethical Practices in Our Industry
Guests - Amie Bush and Jen Garaffa
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 129 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're discussing the prevalence of stealing competitiv…
Battling Stage Fright as a Performer
Guests - Caleb Dicke and Glenn Kelich
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 128 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss their experiences with …
Competition Trends - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Guests - IDA Judges
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 127 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your IDA judges chime in on their most favorite, least favorite, and …
The Title Division at Competition - Is It Worth It?
Guests - Dana Generette and Maria Pomerleau
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 126 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are discussing the pros and cons of the ti…
Offering Modern Dance in Studio Training
Guests - Alexa Conway and Francisco Gella
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 125 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we welcome studio owner Alexa Conway and master…
Studio Spotlight - In Motion Dance Project
Guest: Amanda Plesa
Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
Amanda Plesa, owner and artistic director of In Motion Dance Project in Orlando, Florida, has truly "lived the dream" with a career spannin…
The Evolution of Levels at Competition
Guests - Alma-Lea Pace and Steve Wappel
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 123 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two spectacular guests, studio o…
The World of College Dance Teams - What You Need To Know!
Guests - Melissa McGhee and Carsen Rowe
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 122 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley dive into the (unknown to the…
Do Dancers Need Private Lessons To Succeed?
Guest - Mary Marrone
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 121 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judge and dance studio owner Mary Marrone joins us for a convers…