Guests - Marissa Anderson and Brittni Collins Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 89 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges and dance educators Marissa Anderson and Brittni Collins sit down with Courtney and Lesley to cover all aspects of winning and losing in the competitive dance world. Topics Include: What is lost when we don't allow kids to lose Are levels holding dancers back from their true potential? How can teachers train gracious winner and lo...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 89
Guests - Amanda Cleghorn and Jessica Walker Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 88 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by current working professional dancers Amanda Cleghorn and Jessica Walker to explore the day to day life of Broadway, tours, dancing for a pop star and more! Topics Include: The differences between the NYC and LA audition scenes How to balance work and personal life The realities of Covid-era auditions and jobs ...
Jan 27, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 88
Guests - Jacqueline Baligian and Sam Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 87 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, stage presence and performance quality take center stage as Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and dance educators Jacqueline Baligian and Sam Quinn for a lively discussion. Topics Include: The ingredients needed to be a great performer Judges' pet peeves about performance quality Tips for dance teachers to help dancers learn how to b...
Jan 20, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 87
Guests - Katie Schaar and Alexis Sams Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 86 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley sit down with physical therapist and owner of AZ Dance Medicine Specialists, Alexis Sams, and owner of Sugarfoot Therapy, Katie Schaar, to discuss the particulars of injury prevention for competitive dancers. Topics Include: How parents and teachers can connect with PTs in their community The top injuries seen among young competi...
Jan 13, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 86
Guests: Michele Wagner, Molly Symanietz & Mackenzie Symanietz Hosts: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor What do you get when you combine a 70 year legacy, a family full of dancers, and a desire to help every child be the best they can be? You get Larkin Dance Studio out of St. Paul, Minnesota! The Larkin Legacy continues to develop phenomenal talent, with the studio being awarded Elite Top Dance Studio at Showbiz for the past 3 years, and receiving the distinction of Studio of the Year at Th...
Jan 06, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 85
Guests - Emily Branigan and Hillary Zbyszinski Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 84 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educators and IDA judges Emily Branigan and Hillary Zbyszinski join us to give advice to the dance parents of the world about studio and theatre etiquette - and what you hear may surprise you! Topics Include: How to set the right example for your dancers in the audience and backstage Why competitions have photo and video rules, and wh...
Dec 30, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 84
Guests - Ruby Castro and Randi Strong Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 83 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore the world of Latin ballroom dance and how the style is making its way into the competitive dance scene. We are joined by Ruby Castro, current competitive dancer and Blackpool Dance Festival silver medalist, and Randi Strong, professional dancer and ballroom faculty member at Revel Dance Convention. Topics Include: The differences between ...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 83
Guests - Katie Kruse and Julie Kay Stallcup Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 82 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are exploring the differences and similarities between recreational and competitive dance with two fantastic guests, IDA judge Katie Kruse and dance educator Julie Kay Stallcup. Topics Include: Definitions of recreational dance and competitive dance (and how those definitions can change depending on venue) Advice for parents and studio owne...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 82
In the December Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE, Courtney and special guest Danny Dwaine Wells II answer your questions on topics including: Tips for new soloists How to bring out artistry in young dancers Ways to help dancers with expressing emotion on stage 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! If you love Making The Impact and want to support ...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 81
Guests - Cici Kelley and Jenny Oehlwein Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 80 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, networking is the name of the game! IDA judges and dance educators Cici Kelley and Jenny Oehlwein join Courtney and Lesley in a round table discussion about why networking is one of the key skills dancers should know to find success in the industry! Topics Include: How to network early by building your community Why social media acts as your digit...
Dec 02, 2021•57 min•Season 3Ep. 80
Guests - Tracey Boon and Richard Riaz Yoder Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 79 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by dance educators Tracey Boone and Richard Riaz Yoder to have an important discussion about cultural appropriation in the competitive dance world. Topics Include: Thoughts on reasons why we see so much appropriation of other cultures in the dance competition world Should cultural appropriation be penalized at co...
Nov 25, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 79
Guests - Richard Elszy and Katia Bode Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 78 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking all about the minis! Joined by two phenomenal dance educators, Richard Elszy and Katia Bode, who specialize in teaching the youngest dancers, Courtney and Lesley learn what it takes to train amazing minis! (Hint - it might be a lot of ballet). Topics Include: What makes a great mini teacher Are tricks for minis necessary? Tips to help...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 78
Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Amy Maze Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 77 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and educators Ashley Marinelli and Amy Maze to get real about an often misunderstood category at dance competitions - the open category. Topics Include: What dances should (and shouldn't) be entered into the open category How the open category is judged Judges' pet peeves about the open category If you l...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 77
Guests: Denise H. Latimer & Lynise M Heard Hosts: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Dancemakers of Atlanta, an NYCDA 2021 Outstanding Studio Winner, has a simple mission - to promote creativity, diversity and innovation while building outstanding leaders with excellent characters. Owners Denise Latimer and Lynise Heard sit down with us to discuss what makes Dancemakers of Atlanta special today on Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Follow Dancemakers of Atlanta on social media ...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 76
Guests - Danielle Ardizzone and Kelly Phinney Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 75 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we sit down with real-life dance moms Danielle and Kelly to find out how they budget for their kids' busy dance lives! Topics Include: What gets sacrificed to afford competitive dance Tips and tricks to saving on dance essentials Fundraising ideas If you love Making The Impact and want to support our podcast, buy us a coffee now on Ko-Fi ! Y...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 75
Guests - Colin Shea Denniston and Kaelyn Gray Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 74 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we revisit a favorite topic from Season 2! Courtney and Lesley chat with IDA judge Colin Shea Denniston and industry professional Kaelyn Gray about why the right (or wrong) music can make or break a routine! Topics Include: Overused versus classic competition songs Tips for finding unique music Controversies surrounding music choices in the ...
Oct 21, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 74
Guests - Casie Goshow and Kat Martyak Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 73 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your hosts Courtney and Lesley are joined by dance company director Kat Martyak and convention faculty member Casie Goshow to break down the ins and outs of the dance convention scene! Topics Include: How to choose the right convention for your studio Convention etiquette for dancers The differences between competitions and convention-competitions I...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 73
For our first Q&A with Courtney LIVE episode of Season 3, Courtney is joined by IDA Judge Joey Ortolani to sit down and answer your questions on topics including: What dance parents should know before investing in competitive dance The ingredients to a winning routine Studio habits judges see at competition How to know when it is time to change studios Career options for Dancers If you love Making The Impact and want to support our podcast, buy us a coffee now on Ko-Fi! Your donation will go...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 72
Guests - Mary Roberts and Christine Jones Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 71 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your hosts discuss the trends of overstretching and extreme flexibility with special guests Mary Roberts, IDA judge and jazz dance educator, and Christine Jones, owner of mUvmethod, a progressive conditioning program for dancers. Topics Include: True definitions of overstretching and hypermobility Safer ways to achieve flexibility Thoughts on st...
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 71
Guests - Kausha Campbell and Nick Silverio Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 70 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the TikTok phenomenon is the name of the game! Joined by TikTok sensations Kausha Campbell and Nick Silverio, Courtney and Lesley chat about how these two former competitive dancers transitioned into the world of social media! Topics Include: The early days of dance for Kausha and Nick Their TikTok origin stories How being TikTokkers has change...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 70
Guests - Angela Carter and Maddie Kurtz Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 69 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by veteran judge and educator Maddie Kurtz and choreographer and author Angela Carter to discuss the pros, cons, and everything in between of dancing in college. Topics Include: The best reasons to go to college for dance Things to consider when choosing a dance college Differences between BA, BFA, BS and BPA Choices...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 69
Guests - Erin Demers and Robb Gibbs Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 68 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, props are the name of the game! Courtney and Lesley kick off Season 3 with IDA judges Robb and Erin to talk about prop use, prop pet peeves, and prop no-no's at competition! Topics Include: How to effectively use a prop When props are and aren't necessary Prop pet peeves from your judges Proper prop etiquette The blog that inspired this episode was re...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 68
Season 3 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast kicks off with our very first Studio Spotlight Feature episode, showcasing Project 21, owned and operated by Molly Long in Orange County, CA. A professional training program which aims to prepare young dancers for a career in the commercial dance world, Project 21 has been seen on World of Dance, gracing the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine, and receiving recognition by The Dance Awards like Top Jazz Studio. Tune in to hear about how Proj...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 67
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In the Season 3 Opener of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, your hosts Courtney and Lesley catch up on their summers, reminisce on Season 2, and share some fun news about the upcoming season! Topics Include: Welp Magazine ranking as one of the Top Dance Podcasts of 2021 Recap of Season 1 and Season 2 highlights Podcast cover art contest and winners New Studio Spotlight Feature episodes in Season 3 Follow your Hosts: Courtney - @courtney...
Sep 02, 2021•31 min
Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor After 41 episodes, 75 guests and over 75K downloads, Season 2 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is coming to a close! Join your hosts for a Season 2 wrap up with a look back at some favorite highlights, many shoutouts and thank you's, and a sneak peek at what's to come for S3! Follow your Hosts Courtney @courtney.ortiz Lesley @ lesley.mealor IDA @impactdanceadjudicators This episode was sponsored by: Dance Device Lab - In-studio works...
Jun 03, 2021•54 min
Guests - Holly Gannett and Rachel Gentry Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 66 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, co-hosts Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges and teachers Holly and Rachel to discuss the upcoming summer dance season as well as the 2022 competition season, and all the emotions that come with looking ahead! Topics Include: How to keep dancers motivated as we conclude this year of training and competition and head into the summer The o...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 65 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from over 20 IDA judges about the most common corrections judges give at competition - just in time for nationals! Topics Include: Movement quality Technique Presentation Pirouettes + so much more! Follow your Hosts and IDA! Courtney - @courtney.ortiz Lesley - @lesley.mealor Impact Dance Adjudicators @impactdanceadjudicators This episode is sponsored by: Dance Xchange App Dance ...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 65
In our final Spotlight Feature of Season 2, we sit down with the incredible Marinda Davis, an accomplished choreographer and dance educator on the convention circuit. You may know her work from World of Dance, Dancing With the Stars, or from her own company, MarInspired. Tune in to hear about Marinda's early days in dance, the struggles she faces as an immuno-compromised artist, and her drive and desire to create meaningful work for the stage and screen. Follow Marinda Davis on social media @mar...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Guests - Maddie Kurtz and Casey Noblett Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 63 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley chat with industry professionals Maddie Kurtz and Casey Noblett about the many different performance pathways that exist for a professional dancer. Topics Include: The audition process for all types of jobs - from pro dance teams to Broadway to concert dance A discussion about what cities to find certain types of performance jo...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Guests - Tracey Boon and Rachel Perlman Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 62 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, how to develop a competitive mindset is the name of the game, and IDA judges and dance educators Tracey Boon and Rachel Perlman give some excellent advice for dancers of all levels! Topics Include: Ideas to encourage the development of a competitive mindset How to keep your competitive mindset from hindering your success Goal setting and re-focusi...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 62
