Guests - Lexi Adair and Marlo Barbera Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 61 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley are joined by dance moms Lexi Adair and Marlo Barbera to get an inside perspective on the life of a competitive dance parent! Topics Include: How their dancers got involved in competitive dance The challenges and joys of being a dance mom Helpful advice for new dance moms to survive the competitive dance world Follow you...
Apr 29, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 61
In the April Edition of Q&A With Courtney Live, Courtney is joined by special guest IDA Judges Michael and Dione to answer viewers questions live on the air! Topics include: How dancers can improve their artistry Why contemporary dances always seem to win The title division at competition How to power through block scheduling CLICK HERE to send in your questions to be answered on a future Q&A with Courtney episode. You can request to stay anonymous or have Courtney give you a shout out l...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Guests - Britney Hall and Eliza Ohman Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 59 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, hosts Courtney and Lesley explore all of the ways being a versatile dancer can lead to a success in the dance world! Joined by guests Britney Hall and Eliza Ohman, this episode covers it all! Topics Include: What it takes to become a versatile dancer in a studio setting How being versatile has helped in our guests' careers Other kinds of versatility...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Guests - Christina Fuschetto, Jill Tremonti Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 58 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your hosts dive deep into the topic of teamwork in the studio, at competition, in the professional world and in life in general with IDA judges and teachers Christina Fuschetto and Jill Tremonti. Topics Include: What teamwork looks like in studio Repercussions of a lack of teamwork within a team of dancers How teamwork applies to all facets of...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Guests - Cheryll Custer Klein, Alicia Sehn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 57 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley speak with multi-talented judges and choreographers Cheryll Custer Klein and Alicia Sehn about the best ways for dancers to take their solo to the next level - literally and figuratively! Topics Include: Non-negotiables of having a solo Ways to instill a good work ethic in soloists in class as well as rehearsal What successf...
Apr 01, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Guests - Voltaire Wade-Greene & John Comix Barella Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 56 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are excited to finally cover one of the hottest topics in the competitive dance world - hip hop! Your hosts are joined by two leading hip hop dancers and educators in the industry, Voltaire Wade-Greene and John Comix Barella, to go deep into the rich history of hip hop culture, and discuss how the genre translate...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Guests - Jordan Beyeler, James Washington Manning Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 55 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, hosts Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor discuss the value of mentorship for dancers, from both the side of the mentor and the mentee. The hosts are joined by IDA judges Jordan Beyeler and James Washington Manning. Topics Include: How to know you're ready for a mentor Tips to becoming a mentor What mentorship looks like specifically in the...
Mar 18, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Our next Spotlight Feature guest is Alex Wong, an incredibly prolific and versatile dancer with some unbelievable credits! You may know him from his many television appearances on "Smash", "Glee", and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend", or from his time on "So You Think You Can Dance". Or, perhaps you caught him on Broadway in "Newsies", or as a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet. Making the Impact sits down with Alex to hear about his performance career, and what he's been up to recently! Be sure t...
Mar 11, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Guests - Karla Curatolo, Troy Haywood Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 53 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judge Troy Haywood, as well as Karla Curatolo, the owner of one of the top competitive dance studios in the country, Expressenz Dance Center, to get down to the bottom of the debate - tricks or technique? Topics Include: What do we mean when we say "technique"? How essential is it to have solid technique when le...
Mar 04, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Guests - Tommy Scrivens and Christina Yoder Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 52 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, musicality is the name of the game. Today, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley hear from IDA judges and dance educators Tommy Scrivens and Christina Yoder about the importance of musicality in all styles of dance, and give some great advice to dancers and teachers alike about how to develop musicality skills. Topics Include: How musicality can be inc...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 52
In the February Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE, Courtney and special guest IDA Judge Sam Quinn answer your questions on topics including: Special needs categories at competition Costume scoring Zoom audition vs video submissions for summer programs and intensives Contact improv & so much more! *This episode was previously recorded on Facebook Live - 2/1/2021* CLICK HERE to send in your questions to be answered on a future Q&A with Courtney episode. You can request to stay anonymou...
Feb 18, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Guests - Colin Shea Denniston, Jesse Miller Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 50 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by veteran IDA judges Colin Shea Denniston and Jesse Miller for a deep dive into one of the most burning questions in the dance competition world - what really goes into the judging process for adjudicators? Topics Include: Whether personal preferences come into play when judging How judges stay consistent throug...
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Guests - Ashley Canterna Hardy and Joey Ortolani Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 49 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judge Joey Ortolani and dance teacher Ashley Canterna Hardy for a discussion on the importance of presentation for the competitive stage. Topics Include: How proper presentation begins at the studio, from the top down Barriers to proper presentation and how to overcome them Strategies for costuming an...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Guests - Lauren Manning, Susie Riefenhauser, Ryan Parma Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 48 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we discuss a variety of non-performance career options for dancers with three industry professionals - Lauren Manning of Dance Media, publishers of Dance Spirit and Dance Magazine; Susie Riefenhauser of OtherSpace Innovation, a dance marketing, and consulting firm; and Ryan Parma, a freelance director, and dance videographer. Topic...
Jan 28, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Making the Impact welcomes Sophia Lucia as our next Spotlight Feature guest! You may know her as The Guinness Book of World Records title holder for the most consecutive pirouettes (55) , or maybe you've been following her dance journey since she was featured on Lifetime's Dance Moms! Courtney and Lesley sit down and chat with Sophia about her incredible performance career as a child, her experiences in ballet school as a teen, and her dreams and goals for the future. Stay connected and follow S...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Guests - Joshua Blake Carter and Becca Grden Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 46 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the topic of conversation is improvisation - from improv in class to the professional world and everywhere in between! Joining us this week are guests Joshua Blake Carter from Giordano Dance Chicago and IDA Judge Becca Grden. Topics Include: What improv is and isn't How to introduce improv at a young age in the studio Professional application...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Guests - Amber Nadelkov and Clarice Ordaz Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 45 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we go back in time to remember the "good old days" of competition as Courtney and Lesley sit down with IDA judge Amber Nadelkov and comp kid turned professional dancer and teacher Clarice Ordaz. Topics Include: The days before levels, age groups, and platinums How competition prepared our guests for their professional lives The quintessential co...
Jan 07, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 45
On this special episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA affiliated competitions Diva Dance Competition, Star Talent Productions, Gems Dance Competition, and HD Dance Competition to discuss expectations for the 2021 competition season. Topics include: Need-to-know info for studio owners to pass to students and parents Safety and sanitary measures being taken at each event Judging expectations Block scheduling and awards protocol Follow Us!...
Dec 31, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 44
In the December Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE!, Courtney and special guest Emily Branigan answer your questions on topics including: "Creepy" themed dances for minis How to get into judging Hair diversity on the competition stage The open category CLICK HERE to send in your questions to be answered on a future Q&A with Courtney episode. You can request to stay anonymous or have Courtney give you a shout out live on the air! This episode is sponsored by: Dance Costumes By Urzúa - Cust...
Dec 24, 2020•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 43
Guests - Robb Gibbs and Leslie Scott Zanovitch Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 42 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley hear from special guest Leslie Scott Zanovitch, founder of Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD,) along with IDA judge and teacher Robb Gibbs on the subject of age appropriateness in the dance world. Topics Include: How the idea of age appropriateness encompasses more than just music, movement, and song choice The r...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Guests - Michelle Tolson and Max Vasapoli Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 41 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and teachers Michelle Tolson and Max Vasapoli for an important conversation on the role of race in the dance world. Topics Include: Why representation matters Strategies for implementing inclusive practices in the studio Personal stories from our guests on what it was like growing up as dancers of col...
Dec 10, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Guests - Mary Roberts and Terrill Mitchell Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 40 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley talk with jazz dance experts Mary Roberts and Terrill Mitchell to uncover some truths about jazz in the 21st century! Topics Include: Steps and movement qualities that are MUSTS in your jazz training Why the history of the movement and the style are still important today The real reasons jazz dance seems to be disappearing f...
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 40
On this Spotlight Feature, Courtney and Lesley are joined by Maud Arnold of Syncopated Ladies to chat about her dance journey, the inspiring work she does through The Chloe and Maud Foundation, how having a degree in Film from Columbia University influences her life and work, and so much more! Follow Maud Arnold @maudiepooh Check out some of her latest projects: www.maudarnold.com www.chloeandmaud.com The Chloe and Maud Foundation The DC Tap Festival The Syncopated Ladies Who would you like to s...
Nov 26, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Guests - Brandon Cournay and Ryann Taylor Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 38 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley hear from IDA judge Brandon Cournay and studio owner Ryann Taylor about their thoughts on guest choreography for competitive dancers. Topics Include: Benefits and downfalls of using guest choreographers How to tell when your dancers are ready (or not) for guest choreography Whether or not studios get "bonus points" for using ...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Guests - Hillary Zbyszinski and Marissa Anderson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 37 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges and teachers Hillary and Marissa dive deep with co-hosts Courtney and Lesley on the topic of block scheduling and what to expect during the upcoming 2021 competition season. Topics Include: Pros and cons of the block scheduling set up How judging may be approached differently Predictions for what the 2021 season may look like F...
Nov 12, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Guests - Alexandra Frohlinger and Traci Swartz Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 36 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and industry professionals Alex Frohlinger and Traci Swartz to give advice for the best ways to create a stunning self-tape or virtual submission for competition or auditions! Topics Include: Best angles, backgrounds, and spaces for self-taping Suggestions for filming on a budget Tips and tricks ...
Nov 05, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Guests - Jeanette Abell and Paul Thiemann Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 35 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and teachers Jeanette Abell and Paul Thiemann to dive deep into the important topic of gender in the dance studio, as well as at competition and in the professional world. Topics Include: When to begin a gender-neutral approach with dance students Best practices for inclusivity in movement an...
Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 35
In the October Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE, Courtney and special guest IDA Judge Christina Belinksy answer your questions on topics including: Advice for tappers at competition Tips for young dancers wanting to pursue professional careers Time limits for solos Scoring discrepancies between judges *Episode was recorded on Facebook Live on October 1st, 2020* CLICK HERE to send in your questions to be answered on a future Q&A with Courtney episode. You can request to stay anonymous or...
Oct 22, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Guests - Chloe Roberts and Josh Sallerson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 33 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley explore the challenging world of categorizing dances for competition with IDA judges and teachers Chloe and Josh! Topics Include: Specific expectations for all genres of dance Advice for teachers and choreographers struggling to properly place dances in categories What to do about styles that don't fit perfectly into...
Oct 15, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Guests - Samantha Jay and Miranda Spada Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 32 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, hosts Courtney and Lesley chat about how to create unique choreography concepts with IDA judges and teachers Samantha Jay and Miranda Spada. Topics Include: The creative process for developing choreography Pushing boundaries in choreography Judges' perspectives on overdone ideas Tips for coming up with unique ideas Two blogs inspired this episode ...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 32
