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
Episodes
286 episodes
Bringing Inclusivity and Diversity to Competitive Dance
Guests - Ty Williams, Tonysha McIntosh, Haley EverettHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 263 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by studio owners Ty Williams and To...
Throwback! - S3 EP 77 - The Open Category - Expectations from Your Judges
Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Amy MazeHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorToday's throwback episode was one of our most popular episodes in season 3 - expectations in the open category! This conversation is far ...
A Day in the Life of a Competition Staff Member
Guests - Haley Crocombe and Cat MiloneHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 261 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we go backstage with the folks who keep competitions running to find o...
Throwback! - S4 EP 122 – The World of College Dance Teams - What You Need to Know
Guests - Melissa McGhee and Carsen RoweHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorOur next throwback episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast brings back a fan favorite, with more dance team talk! Our...
What To Expect When Transitioning From Studio Dance to Dance Team
Guests - Erin Alvarado and Kristin DanielHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 259 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, LSU Tiger Girls choreographer Kristin Daniel and Texas Tech dance t...
IDA Competition Spotlight - Elevation on Tour
Guests: Brie Peña & Kristina CrossHosted by Courtney OrtizIDA affiliated-competition Elevation on Tour leads with integrity and innovation, but most of all, a heart for being of service to dancers, teachers, and fam...
Keeping the Artistry in Competitive Dance - Creating Choreography That Stands Out
Guests - Brittany Sprung and Giovanni AllenHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 257 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're discussing how to keep artistry at the forefront of competi...
Throwback! - S5 EP 176 – Mini Dancers Who Peak Too Early
Guests - Kate Biernat and Krysten DanielleHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorOur next throwback episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast takes us back in time to 2024 for a conversation about ...
The Transition From Junior to Teen - Pivotal Times in a Dancer's Training
Guests - Carlos de Barros and Krystal MadanHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 255 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges and dance educators Carlos de Barros and Krystal Madan...
Throwback! S4 EP 111 - Adding the Shock Value - A Discussion on Triggering and Sensitive Themes
Guests - Amanda Nicole DiTullio and Daniel LongoHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorOur next throwback episode takes us back to Season 4 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, with one of our most p...
What Dance Competition Judges Want To See On Stage This Season
Guests - IDA JudgesHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 253 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges from across the country chime in to give listeners the inside scoop on what th...
Spotlight Feature - International Competitive Dancer Registry
Guests: Jamie Hodgins and Rebecca Brettingham-FiliceHosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley MealorThe International Competitive Dancer Registry, or ICDR, is a new organization that aims to protect, verify, and safegu...
Partnering and Lifts - Tips and Tricks from the Pros
Guests - Jonathan & Oksana PlateroHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 251 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, professional dancers and educators Jonathan and Oksana Platero share t...
Throwback! S4 EP 120 - Stage and Costume Malfunctions - What To Do During Onstage Mishaps
Guests - Halle Mastroberardino and Donna Michelle VaughnHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorOur throwback episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast covers the many ways things can go wrong at a l...
A Day in the Life of a Dancer on Tour
Guests - Brion Marquis Watson and Cassidy NoblettHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 249 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our "day in the life" series continues with a job most danc...
The 2025 A.C.E Awards Winners - Sponsored by DanceOne
Guests - Tommy Tibball, Madi Hicks, Jason Williams, and Courtney BarclayHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 248 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the 2025 A.C.E. Awards winners join ...
Q&A with Courtney Live 2025 - Platinum Premium Exclusive
Guest: Vikas ArunHosted By - Courtney OrtizPlatinum Premium Exclusive! To end out the 2025 year strong we are bringing back our popular Q&A with Courtney LIVE episodes! Our Q&A episodes now record monthly for Platinum ...
Throwback! S5 EP 157 - Mastering Movement Quality in Dance
Guests - Chip Abbott and Summer Renner DisherHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorToday's throwback episode brings back an important topic - movement quality! Our spectacular guests, studio owner Summer Renner Disher and ...
Why Lyrical Dance Should Be a Priority in Your Weekly Training
Guests - Jeremy Duvall and Lindsey KleinHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 245 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss lyrical dance and its importance with tw...
Throwback! S3 EP 84 - Parent Etiquette - From Studio to Stage
Guests - Emily Branigan and Hillary ZbyszinskiHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorThis throwback episode takes us back to season 3 of Making the Impact, where dance educators and IDA Judges Emily Branigan and Hillary...
Fundraising For Competitive Dance
Guests - Christine Brocious and Megan WoodsHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 243 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by podcast fans, dance moms, and f...
IDA Competition Spotlight - Uproar Dance Competition
Guests: Ryland Early and Danielle BeemanHosted by Courtney Ortiz Uproar Dance Competition might be newer to the scene, but they have years of experience in the competitive dance world and know a thing or two about what ma...
A Day in the Life of a Broadway Performer
Guests - Karli Dinardo and Tatiana NuñezHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 241 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we take an inside look at a day in the life of a Broadway dancer. Ka...
Throwback! S5 EP 175 - Perfecting the Pirouette - Tips from the Pros
Guests - Drew Burgess and Lisa Curatolo TurpinHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorToday's throwback episode brings us back to 2024 with a conversation about pirouettes! Like we always say on the pod, good techni...