Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Season 6 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is a wrap! We have had such a wonderful year discussing some unique and important topics in the dance industry, and we're excited to reminisce, but also give you a sneak peek at season 7! Topics Include: Favorite episodes of season 6 Info on summer bonus episodes What's new for season 7 Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership inc...
Jun 05, 2025•35 min
Guests - IDA Judges Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 230 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we invited our IDA judges to chime in with their takeaways from the 2025 competition season. These judges have seen it all, from coast to coast, and this season did not disappoint! Topics Include: What your judges LOVED seeing on stage this season Headsprings - the go-to skill of 2025 Pirouette technique and execution Competition etiquette - before and after the eve...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 58 min•Season 6Ep. 230
Guest: Peter Chu Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Contemporary dance is a genre that can be hard to define, but what everyone can agree on is that it is one of the most popular styles of dance in the industry. Peter Chu joins us on our final genre spotlight episode of season 6 to discuss the ways contemporary dance has evolved and why it will take ongoing support from the community to allow it to continue. Follow Peter Chu on social media @peterchuthis! Help support our podcast. Join...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 229
Guests - Gregory Kanelos and Jenny Hogan Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 228 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our "day in the life" series continues with a look into studio owner life! We hear from two different perspectives - Jenny Hogan, owner of Brava Dance in New York for 16 years, and Gregory Kanelos, owner of Studio G Dance Company in Massachusetts, celebrating their 5th season! Topics Include: How each studio got their start What challenges they ...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 6Ep. 228
Guests - Kasie Auten and Brittni Johnson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 227 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore how and why dancers are susceptible to a perfectionist mindset, and discuss how to use those traits to your advantage while also staying grounded. Topics Include: Strategies to focus on progress rather than perfection How studio culture can be a factor in whether dancers strive for perfection How perfectionism can manifest throughout ...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 227
Guests - Joey Ortolani and listener submissions Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 226 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we invited our listeners to share their experiences with toxic behaviors they've encountered at dance studios. We hear (anonymously!) from dance teachers, dance parents, and dance studio owners the things to look out for that may make your dance experience less than satisfactory. Also joining us is IDA judge and studio owner Joey Ortolani...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 226
Guests - Sally Cofield, Krysten Danielle Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 225 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're joined by two IDA judges to spill the tea on the hot topic of perfect scores in competitive dance! Topics Include: Are judges even allowed to give a perfect score? What goes into considering giving a perfect score - technique, performance, or more? The benefits and detriments of receiving a perfect score Help support our podcast. Join Maki...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 6Ep. 225
Guests - Ty Riley and Britney Barber Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 224 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're debating the pros and cons of two types of dance convention experiences - intimate, in-house conventions and large-scale, big-name dance conventions. Owner of Streetz Dance Convention, Ty Riley, and studio owner Britney Barber join us to give their unique perspectives! Topics Include: The benefits of bringing a small convention to your own stu...
Apr 24, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 224
Guests - Mandy Yip and Malece Miller Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 223 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two amazing acro specialists, professional dancer and educator Malece Miller, and founder of Acrobatic Arts, Mandy Yip, to discuss how to keep the artistry in acro dance. Topics Include: A brief history of acro and acro-dance Why safety is the primary concern when inserting acro into dance routines Why teaching curriculum-based acro...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 223
Guests - Erin Marino Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 222 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, industry professional Erin Marino shares her insight about how to craft a reel that best represents you! Casting directors, agents, and choreographers look to a dance reel or video footage to find out anything from your personality to your technical ability. Having a cohesive and professional dance reel is one of the most powerful tools in an aspiring dancer’s tool...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Guests - Leslie Scott Zanovitch and Dr. Christina "Dr. T." Donaldson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 221 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are shining a light on an uncomfortable topic - the over-sexualization of kids in the competitive dance world. Please take care when listening, and screen this episode before listening with children. Topics Include: What counts as sexualized choreography? How over-sexualization of children at a young age affects th...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 6Ep. 221
Guests - IDA Judges Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 220 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we devote a full episode to the conversation that seems to never end in the competitive dance world - to wear two shoes, one shoe, or no shoes? Our IDA judges chime in with their thoughts and we (try to) look at the opposing point of view! Topics Include: The variety of reasons to wear two shoes Why dancing barefoot can be beneficial A few arguments for wearing one ...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 220
Guests: Bonita "Bgirl Bonita" Saldana and London "Bboy London" Reyes Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Our Genre Spotlight series continues with a conversation about the history, culture, and importance of breaking. Our guests are two giants in the field - Bgirl Bonita, studio owner and Team USA Breaking Olympic coach, and Bboy London, member of the NYC Breakers and breaking expert. Follow Bgirl Bonita @bgirlbonita and Bboy London @bboylondon on social media and be sure to check out t...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 6Ep. 219
Guests - Jessica Butler and Madeline Massingill Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 218 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our "Day in the Life" series continues with a deep dive into the world of NFL cheerleading! These talented performers share what it's like to represent some of the country's biggest teams, and how they got there! Topics Include: The audition process and expectations for NFL cheerleaders What other responsibilities you have when you repres...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 218
Guests - Kate Pagano and Andrew Wilson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 217 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we take a look at what it's like to recover from a dance injury. Guests Kate Pagano and Andrew Wilson, alongside your hosts Courtney and Lesley, share their personal experiences and advice for how to cope with an injury both mentally and physically. Topics Include: How to stay motivated while you are injured What changes might occur in your relati...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 6Ep. 217
Guests - Casey Carruthers and Amanda LaMotte Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 216 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are discussing the sacrifices that must be made to succeed as a dance industry professional. From lifestyle sacrifices to personal sacrifices, your hosts and guests get real about what it actually takes, and whether or not it was worth it (spoiler alert - it was). Topics Include: The struggles many dancers go through just to get to auditi...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 216
Guests - Joseph Corella and Alex Frohlinger Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 215 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're chatting about first and final impressions when performing on a competitive stage! Entrances and exits may seem small, but our guests are here to tell you why they make a big difference! Topics Include: Choreographed vs unchoreographed entrances and exits Why both entrances and exits matter to the overall feel of your dance The importan...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 215
Guests - Lori Fields and Andrea Zerilli Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 214 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we chat with two dance educators who have had the unique experience of having their own children (and in Lori's case, her grandchildren!) as students in the dance studio! Topics Include: If favoritism is really a thing when your child is on the team Challenges faced by dance teachers who teach their own children Advice for other dance teachers wi...
Feb 13, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 214
Guests - Miranda Spada and Kyrie Kowalik Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 213 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we discuss some of the behind the scenes etiquette that is expected from dancers, parents, and audience members at competition with IDA judges and dance educators Miranda Spada and Kyrie Kowalik. Topics Include: the "why" behind some dressing room etiquette rules backstage etiquette tips to remember unexpected rules for the dressing room Help su...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 213
Guests - Crystal Mann-Hollinger and Jody Reynard Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 212 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, diversity and representation take center stage as we discuss why it's so important to have a well-rounded judging panel. Topics Include: The different kinds of diversity we should see on a panel of judges - style specialty, gender, age, race, and background What it's like to feel un or under-represented in dance What having a diverse pan...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 212
Guests: Angela Carter and Caleb Teicher Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor In the second Genre Spotlight episode of Season 6, we are joined by two tap dance professionals to get specific about rhythm tap (if there were such a thing). Tune in to hear more about that caveat! Topics Include: Why there might feel like there is a difference between tap styles What judge or audience expectations there might be when attending a regular dance competition with a tap dance Why tap dance sometime...
Jan 23, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 211
Guests - Emily Williams, Robb Gibbs Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 210 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judge Robb Gibbs and mindset coach Emily Williams to bring back a popular and important topic in the dance world - winning and losing. Both are bound to happen for all dancers, so how can you prepare for each scenario to win or lose gracefully? Topics Include: How losing can be a motivator The role of parents, teachers, and coach...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 210
Guests - Melanie Brooke Durham, Troy Haywood Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 209 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we take a journey around the United States to discover the differences we see in each region at competition, and chat about how those differences can impact scoring, perception, and more! Topics Include: Why regional differences still seem to exist even in our global, connected world Styles that are more prevalent in different parts of the c...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 209
Guests - Gene Biscontini, Marina Stacey Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 208 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we chat about what it's like to have one of the most unique jobs in the dance industry - working for a cruise line! Our guests have years of experience performing on the high seas, and we can't wait to give you the ins and outs of a day in the life of a cruise ship dancer! Topics Include: Cruise ship auditions and how to book the job The types of...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 208
Guest: Dione Hamza Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz Platinum Premium Exclusive! To end out the 2024 year strong we are bringing back our popular Q&A with Courtney LIVE episodes! Our Q&A episodes now record monthly for Platinum Premium subscribers only. Dive in to a chat about all things competitive dance with Making the Impact host Courtney Ortiz and special guest IDA Judge Dione Hamza! This episode was recorded in December 2024. Topics include: Difference between movement quality vs movement ...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 207
Guests - Full Circle Boys (Jagger Moon, James Herron, Sean Garrity, Dossan Bell, and Oliver Hincy) Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 206 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we get a glimpse into the lives of The Full Circle Boys! The five members of this boy band started out as competitive dancers, and their music is quickly making its mark in the convention world and beyond! Topics Include: The origin stories of all five members of The Full Circle Boys What...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 206
Guests - Shannon Dooling-Cain and Rachel Roberts Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 205 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are diving into a highly requested topic - team building and team bonding. The most successful teams are the ones that work together seamlessly, and that starts with fostering a sense of community and shared commitment to a goal, whether that's to perfect your pirouettes or win first overall. Topics Include: How to avoid a culture of ...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 205
Guests - Eddie Strachan and Azuki Umeda Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 204 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore the intricate and personal world of choreographing for dance competition with two listener-chosen industry leaders. Eddie Strachan and Azuki Umeda have a wealth of knowledge to share and inspire up-and-coming choreographers and those looking for fresh insight! Topics Include: the differences between choreographing for competition and f...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 204
Guest - DJ Smart Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 203 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, convention director and professional dancer DJ Smart joins us to share some insider tips on how to stand out at all kinds of auditions, including at conventions, for colleges, and for professional jobs! Topics Include: Why first impressions really do count Things NOT to do at auditions How to get out of your head and do your best in any scenario Help support our podcas...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 6Ep. 203
Guests - Julie "JJ" Joseph and Khori Petinaud Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 202 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we bring on two seasoned dance industry professionals to debate the merits of the product versus the process in dance, both competitively and professionally. Topics Include: Examples of a product-focused process and why they are important Examples of a process-focused process and why they are important Personal anecdotes about both process ...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 202
