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
Recreational vs. Competitive Dance - Understanding the Differences
Guests - Katie Kruse and Julie Kay Stallcup
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 82 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are exploring the differences and similari…
Q&A With Courtney LIVE - December Edition
In the December Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE, Courtney and special guest Danny Dwaine Wells II answer your questions on topics including:
- Tips for new soloists
- How to bring out artistry in young…
The Power of Networking In The Dance World
Guests - Cici Kelley and Jenny Oehlwein
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 80 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, networking is the name of the game! IDA judges and…
A Conversation on Cultural Appropriation on the Competitive Stage
Guests - Tracey Boon and Richard Riaz Yoder
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 79 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by dance educat…
Mini Mania! Featuring Richard Elszy and Katia Bode
Guests - Richard Elszy and Katia Bode
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 78 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking all about the minis! Joined by two ph…
The Open Category - Expectations from Your Judges
Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Amy Maze
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 77 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and e…
Studio Spotlight - Dancemakers of Atlanta
Guests: Denise H. Latimer & Lynise M Heard
Hosts: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
Dancemakers of Atlanta, an NYCDA 2021 Outstanding Studio Winner, has a simple mission - to promote creativity, diversity…
Budgeting For Competitive Dance with Dance Moms
Guests - Danielle Ardizzone and Kelly Phinney
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 75 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we sit down with real-life dance moms Daniel…
Music at Competition 2.0
Guests - Colin Shea Denniston and Kaelyn Gray
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 74 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we revisit a favorite topic from Season 2! C…
All About Dance Conventions
Guests - Casie Goshow and Kat Martyak
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 73 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your hosts Courtney and Lesley are joined by dance c…
Q&A with Courtney LIVE - October Edition
For our first Q&A with Courtney LIVE episode of Season 3, Courtney is joined by IDA Judge Joey Ortolani to sit down and answer your questions on topics including:
- What dance parents should know before…
Overstretching & Flexibility - How Much Is Too Much?
Guests - Mary Roberts and Christine Jones
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 71 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your hosts discuss the trends of overstretching …
TikTok in the Dance World - Featuring Kausha Campbell & Nick Silverio
Guests - Kausha Campbell and Nick Silverio
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 70 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the TikTok phenomenon is the name of the game! …
Dance in College - The Pros and The Cons
Guests - Angela Carter and Maddie Kurtz
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 69 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by veteran judge an…
Prop Potential
Guests - Erin Demers and Robb Gibbs
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 68 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, props are the name of the game! Courtney and Lesley ki…
Studio Spotlight - Project 21
Season 3 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast kicks off with our very first Studio Spotlight Feature episode, showcasing Project 21, owned and operated by Molly Long in Orange County, C…
Welcome to Season 3!
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In the Season 3 Opener of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your hosts Courtney and Lesley catch up on their summers, reminisce on Season 2,…
Looking Ahead - Prepping for Nationals and the 2022 Season
Guests - Holly Gannett and Rachel Gentry
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 66 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA ju…
Season 2 - Wrap Up!
Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor
After 41 episodes, 75 guests and over 75K downloads, Season 2 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is coming to a close! Join your hosts for a Se…
The Most Common Corrections Judges Give at Competition
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
In Episode 65 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from over 20 IDA judges about the most common corrections judges give at competit…