Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Impact Dance Adjudicators
Impact Dance Adjudicators
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
1d ago
Guests - Chip Abbott and Summer Renner Disher Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Today's throwback episode brings back an important topic - movement quality! Our spectacular guests, studio owner Summer Renner Disher and dance educator and choreographer Chip Abbott school us on the importance of movement quality for competitive dancers, and give tips on teaching techniques for all ages! This episode originally aired October 19, 2023. Topics Include: How to talk about movement quality in class Unique approaches to teaching movement quality Why the quality of your movement quality can make or break your score at competition 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 Summer Renner Disher - @summerrennerdisher, @rennerdance Chip Abbott - @chipstergram This episode is sponsored by: Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available! Submit your video now! 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 Support the show
Dec 11
Guests - Jeremy Duvall and Lindsey Klein Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 245 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss lyrical dance and its importance with two dance educators known for their love of lyrical. Jeremy Duvall and Lindsey Klein give insight into exactly why lyrical deserves regular training from tiny dancers to adult professionals. Topics Include: A brief history of a lyrical legend, Doug Caldwell, and his influence What we consider true lyrical and why it sometimes seems to be disappearing from studios and competitions How to incorporate lyrical into your class schedule 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 Jeremy Duvall - @jeremyduvall Lindsey Klein - @lindseytklein Check out some of the resources we discussed on the episode! Love Is All That Matters - Doug Caldwell choreography Find out more information about Oklahoma City University's Ann Lacy School of American Dance & Entertainment auditions here ! Find out more information about Boston Conservatory at Berklee here ! This episode is sponsored by: Oro Dance Competition - IDA Affiliated Competition! Learn more and register for an upcoming event www.orodance.com 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 Support the show
Dec 4
Guests - Emily Branigan and Hillary Zbyszinski Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor This throwback episode takes us back to season 3 of Making the Impact, where dance educators and IDA Judges Emily Branigan and Hillary Zbyszinski shared insight about expectations for dance parents. As we head into competition season, enjoy this refresher course on parent etiquette! This episode originally aired on December 30, 2021. Topics Include: How to set the right example for your dancers in the audience and backstage Why competitions have photo and video rules, and why you should follow them General studio do's and don'ts for parents 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 Emily Branigan - @embranigan Hillary Zbyszinski - @hzbyszinski This episode is sponsored by: Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available! Submit your video now! Join our NEW 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 affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com Support the show
Nov 27
Guests - Christine Brocious and Megan Woods Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 243 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by podcast fans, dance moms, and fundraising queens Christine Brocious and Megan Woods to talk about the many ways fundraising can help offset the financial burden of competitive dance! Topics Include: Types of fundraising that exist How to determine what type of fundraising would be successful for your studio Ways to engage both the dancers and the dancers' families in fundraising effors 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 Christine Brocious - @cbrocious02 Megan Woods - @meggybethwoods This episode is sponsored by: Check out IDA Affiliated Competition True Dance Challenge ! 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 Support the show
Nov 20
Guests: Ryland Early and Danielle Beeman Hosted 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 makes a great experience. From their Teacher Oasis and high level production value at the event, to their Uproar Training Scholarship awarded in each city, Uproar offers a unique experience you don't want to miss! Follow Uproar Dance Competition on social media @danceuproar and be sure to check out their 2025-2026 season! 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 Season 4, 5 & 6. 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! This episode is sponsored by: IDA Affiliated Competition - Uproar Dance Competition ! View their upcoming 2026 Tour Dates on their website! Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available! Submit your video now ! Follow your Host & Guests! Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz Uproar Dance Competition - @danceuproar Join our NEW 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 us on social media at @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA-Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com Support the show
Nov 13
Guests - Karli Dinardo and Tatiana Nuñez Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In 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. Karli Dinardo and Tatiana Nuñez give us the scoop on everything from booking the gig to what it's like to be in a long-running show. Topics Include: The audition process for Broadway How to take care of yourself on two show days and 8 shows a week What other responsibilities might be included in a Broadway dance job 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 Karli Dinardo - @karlidinardo Tatiana Nuñez - @tatinunez143 This episode is sponsored by: Check out IDA-affiliated event Uproar Dance Competition and Convention! Find out more about their 2025-2026 season at www.danceuproar.com Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available! Submit your video now ! 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 Support the show
Nov 6
Guests - Drew Burgess and Lisa Curatolo Turpin Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Today's throwback episode brings us back to 2024 with a conversation about pirouettes! Like we always say on the pod, good technique never goes out of style, and that goes for pirouette technique too! Enjoy this chat with two experts on pirouettes! This episode originally aired on February 22, 2024. Topics Include: How to set yourself (and your students) up for success when teaching pirouettes Opinions on the best prep position for certain turns The importance of knowing your audience when choreographing turns 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 Drew Burgess - @drewdances Lisa Curatolo Turpin - @lisacuratoloturpin Expressenz Dance Center - @expressenz This episode is sponsored by: Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available! Submit your video now! 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 Support the show
Oct 30
Guests - Michelle Leagans and Jessica Olinik Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz In Episode 239 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from two dance educators about the technique and power behind every great jumper! From tour jetés to switch leaps to flying discs, this episode covers your favorite jumps and leaps with helpful hints to take you to new heights! Topics Include: How to achieve maximum suspension in jumps and leaps The proper preparation for a variety of jumps and leaps Our favorite jumps and leaps to perform and to see on stage 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 Michelle Leagans - @michelleleagans Jessica Olinik - @jwodance This episode is sponsored by: Michelle Leagans's "Hey Dancers...Let's Talk About It!" Journal. A journaling companion for dancers to thrive as students and team members. Available for purchase on Amazon! www.letstalkaboutdance.com Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24-hour rush delivery available! Submit your video now! Check out our IDA Affiliated Competition and Sponsor: Axis Dance Competition ! Visit their website to view their 2026 Tour Dates! 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 Support the show
