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
Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Latest Episodes
Throwback! S2 Ep 45 - A Look At Competitive Dance Through the Years
Guests - Clarice Ordaz and Amber NadelkovHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorWe are bringing back our Throwback episodes in Season 8 of Making the Impact, and today we're heading to 2021 to discuss what the comp...
The Dance Teachers Who Impacted Us featuring Lesley’s Teachers
Guests - Kristen Cochran and Dawn ParkerHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 272 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we honor the teachers who impacted us during our journey in the danc...
LIVE! From Dance Teacher Web Vegas 2026
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 271 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are live from Vegas, where they hosted a Q&A at Dance Teacher Web! Thanks to all of the won...
Studio Spotlight - Stacey's Studio of Dance Education
Guests: Stacey Dimberio and Brooke MacIverHosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley MealorThe winner of the Making the Impact Award fan favorite contest from 2026 is Stacey's Studio of Dance Education's routine "Somebody To...
