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
Throwback! - S1 EP 21 – Beyond the Barre - Why Ballet Matters in Competitive Dance
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Guests - Carrie Euker, Holly Gannett
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor
Today's throwback episode takes us back to Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast's very first season! This episode features IDA judges Carrie Euker and Holly Gannett discussing ways to keep ballet fun, relevant and beloved in the dance competition world. This episode originally aired on March 30, 2020.
Topics Include:
- Ideas for keeping ballet class interesting
- What judges look for in a ballet competition routine
- How ballet can benefit other styles of dance
Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
- Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
- Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
- Ad-free listening for all of Seasons 4 through 7. No sponsored ads!
- 20% off all IDA Merchandise
- Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
- Discounted IDA Online Critique
- Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!
Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!
Follow your Hosts & Guests!
- Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
- Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
- Carrie Euker - @CMEuker
- Holly Gannett - @Hollcoll77
This episode is sponsored by:
The DanceOne Summit
The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.
Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACT
Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you!
Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox!
Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
