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
Happy Mother's Day! Featuring Our Dance Moms!
Guests - Robin Ortiz and Brenda Mealor
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 102 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are celebrating all the dance moms out there, b…
Dancing with Disabilities & Special Needs - Creating Inclusivity in Dance
Guests - Chelsie Hill and Kim Smith
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 101 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, guests Chelsie Hill, a dancer and wheelchair user, an…
The Top 10 Studio Habits Judges See At Competition
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In this episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by several IDA judges to celebrate our 100th episode by …
Q&A with Courtney LIVE - April Edition
In the April Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE, Courtney and special guest IDA Judge Jessica answer your questions on topics including:
- Does your dancer need an Instagram?
- Guest choreographers and re-u…
All About Agents & Casting Directors
Guests - Jim Keith and Jason Styres
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 98 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, casting director Jason Styres and dance agent Jim Keit…
From Competitive Dancer to Competition Teacher - Navigating the Other Side
Guests - Lenaya Williams and Maddie Barnes
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 97 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, special guests Lenaya Williams and Maddie Barne…
How to NOT be a Stage Mom!
Guests - Summer Aiello & Shannon Thomas
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
Being a dance parent requires learning a lot of new information, from theatre etiquette to competition structures. B…
Keeping Dances Fresh Throughout the Season
Guests - Rachel Gentry and Justin Quandt
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 95 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judge Rachel Gentry and studio owner Justin Q…
Mental Health For Competitive Dancers
Guests - Dr. Chelsea Pierotti and Claudia H. Stein
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 94 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss mental hea…
Studio Spotlight - Studio Bleu Dance Center
Guest: Kimberly Walsh Rishi
Hosts: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
Studio Bleu Dance Center in Ashburn, Virginia is one of the largest dance studios in the country, run by Kimberly Rishi. With programs …
Student Choreography
Guests - Lauren Alto and Mary Hondal
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 92 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, special guests IDA judge Lauren Alto and former stu…
Developing a Ballet Program For Competitive Studios
Guests - Jason Coosner and Addison Holmes
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 91 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss the importance of b…
Q&A With Courtney LIVE - February Edition
In the February Edition of Q&A With Courtney, Courtney and special guest IDA judge Jen Garaffa answer your questions on topics including:
- Is hard work enough to make a dancer stand out?
- How to deal w…
Winning vs. Losing
Guests - Marissa Anderson and Brittni Collins
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 89 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges and dance educators Marissa Ander…
A Day in the Life of a Pro Dancer
Guests - Amanda Cleghorn and Jessica Walker
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 88 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by current work…
Stage Presence - Why Performance Matters
Guests - Jacqueline Baligian and Sam Quinn
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 87 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, stage presence and performance quality take cen…
Injury Prevention For Competitive Dancers
Guests - Katie Schaar and Alexis Sams
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 86 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley sit down with physical therapist…
Studio Spotlight - Larkin Dance Studio
Guests: Michele Wagner, Molly Symanietz & Mackenzie Symanietz
Hosts: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
What do you get when you combine a 70 year legacy, a family full of dancers, and a desire to help eve…
Parent Etiquette - From Studio to Stage
Guests - Emily Branigan and Hillary Zbyszinski
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 84 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educators and IDA judges Emily Branig…
Latin Ballroom Dance and How To Add It To Your Training
Guests - Ruby Castro and Randi Strong
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 83 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore the world of Latin ballroom dance and how…