Guests - Aaron Parkhurst and Jason E. Bernard Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 117 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, tap educators Aaron Parkhurst and Jason E. Bernard join us to share insight about the different styles of tap dance that exist and how they really aren't that different at all! Topics Include: What makes tap dance so different than other styles of dance Why learning different ways to count is important in tap dance What judges really want t...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 117
Guests - Jakub Dvořák and Peter Oxford Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 116 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Czech Republic-based studio owner Jakub Dvořák and Australian-based competition owner Peter Oxford join us for an enlightening conversation on what the competitive dance industry is like outside of the US! Topics Include: How competition events are structured What similarities exist between competitions around the world The origins of competitive ...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 116
Guests - Danny Dwaine Wells II and Miranda Spada Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 115 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judges and dance educators Danny Dwaine Wells II and Miranda Spada to discuss the realities dancers face when moving up an age division at competition. Topics Include: Expectations for each age division Our best advice for choreographers who are working with students moving up a division Whether a dancer's actual age...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 115
Guest: Karla Curatolo Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Karla Curatolo, owner of Expressenz Dance Center in Indianapolis, IN joins us for the first Studio Spotlight episode of Season 4! With recent accolades like Top 5 Studio of the Year at the 2022 Dance Awards, America's Got Talent and World of Dance, Expressenz is truly making an impact in the dance community! Follow Expressenz on social media @expressenz and be sure to check out this special offer! El Toro Speedwraps - get 15% off...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 114
Guests - Courtney Rottenberger and Raynor Van der Merwe Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 113 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are debunking the stereotypes surrounding studios that don't compete! Joining us today are IDA judge and former non-competitive dancer Courtney Rottenberger and studio owner Raynor van der Merwe to shed some light on the other side of the dance studio world! Topics Include: Opportunities that non-competitive environments can gi...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 113
Guests - Ricardo Pena and Liz Schmidt Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 112 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by Ricardo Pena of Performance Edge 2 and Liz Schmidt of Spotlight Dance Works to discuss how dance studio programs can level up their training to produce well-trained dancers who go on to collegiate and professional careers. Topics Include: The elements of a high level or pre-professional program How to offer high qu...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 112
Guests - Amanda Nicole DiTullio and Daniel Longo Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 111 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are tackling a huge topic - shock value and triggering subject matter in the competitive world. Joining us on this journey are dance educators and judges Amanda Nicole DiTullio and Daniel Longo to investigate the issues surrounding presenting this type of work at dance competitions. Topics Include: Possible reasons why choreographers ...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 111
Guests - Caroline Diamond and Lynne McNelis Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 110 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are chatting all things hair and makeup with two fabulous guests! Professional dancer and makeup artist Caroline Diamond and beauty industry expert and dance mom Lynne McNelis give some hot tips for hair and makeup at competition! Topics Include: Eyelashes - yes or no? Competition hairstyles for all hair types How important is uniformity i...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 110
Hosted by Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Guest: Rhee Gold Kicking off the 4th season of Making the Impact, we are joined today by industry legend Rhee Gold for our first Spotlight Feature! Rhee is a household name in the dance world, spearheading such projects as the Dance Teacher Life Conference and the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association. Follow Rhee Gold on social media @rheegold and be sure to check out his website and upcoming conferences. Rhee Gold Dance Life Conference SOUL Da...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 109
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In the Season 4 Opener of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss the exciting things that happened in Season 3 and dish about the fun stuff coming up in Season 4! Topics Include: Podcast cover art contest winners Podcast Magazine feature from January 2022 Summer bonus episodes New Platinum Premium membership Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership inc...
Sep 01, 2022•23 min
We have another summer exclusive bonus episode coming to you LIVE from Diva Dance Competition's 10 year anniversary Nationals in Cambridge, MD. Making the Impact hosted our 2nd LIVE audience event and it was a huge success! Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges Julie Swartz, Christina Belinsky, Lauren Alto and Eddie Bennett to answer questions from dance parents, studio owners, and dancers! Topics included: How decimal places really work in scoring What inspires us as artists What judges ...
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 108
We have a summer exclusive bonus episode coming to you LIVE from Spirit of Dance Awards Nationals in Hyannis, MA! Making the Impact hosted our very first ever LIVE audience event and it was a huge success! Courtney and Lesley are joined by IDA judges Robb Gibbs and Sam Quinn to answer questions from dance parents, studio owners, and dancers! Topics included: Levels and how judges approach adjudications at each level Musical theatre vs jazz performance quality How judges approach adjudicating sub...
Jul 30, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 3Ep. 107
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor We're wrapping up Season 3 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Season 3 has been full of exciting new guests, old favorites, and of course, YOU - our fantastic fans! Catch you next season with even more episodes that make the impact! If you love Making The Impact and want to support our podcast, buy us a coffee now on Ko-Fi! Your donation will go directly towards helping create quality content for future episodes. We appreciate your su...
Jun 02, 2022•18 min
Guests - Veronica Silk and Christina Wiginton Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 106 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore all the facets that make up the perfect production number - from music choices, to themes, to staging, to props or no props! Joining us today are IDA judge and dance educator Veronica Silk and owner of CK Danceworks, Christina Wiginton, to share their thoughts about all things production! Topics Include: What are the components o...
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 106
Guests - Monica Giavanna and Skye Mattox Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 105 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we tackle the wonderful world of dancing in heels! From commercial dance to theatre jazz, there are a surprising amount of things to consider when adding a few inches to your shoes! Joining us today are professional dancers Skye Mattox and Monica Giavanna to give you some helpful hints for dancing in heels. Topics Include: Why heels training is ...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 105
Guests - Brandon Cournay and Timaree Craft Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 104 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're diving into summer with a chat about the benefits of summer intensives for dancers! Joining us this week are competition team director Timaree Craft and dancer, choreographer and Dance Device Lab owner Brandon Cournay to discuss the ins and outs of summer intensives. Topics Include: How to find out about summer intensives The different t...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 104
Guests: Kelli Wilkins, Aly Slone, Kiley Forrest Hosts: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Club Dance, located in Mesa, Arizona, provides exceptional dance training from the very basics to their pre-professional program. Owner Kelli Wilkins, along with company directors Aly Slone and Kiley Forrest, join us for the final Studio Spotlight of Season 3 to share the many things that make Club Dance unique among dance studios! Follow Club Dance on social media! @clubdanceofficial @clubdance_legacysport...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 103
Guests - Robin Ortiz and Brenda Mealor Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 102 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are celebrating all the dance moms out there, but especially ours! Robin Ortiz and Brenda Mealor join us today to share what Courtney and Lesley were really like as young competitive dancers and what their experiences were as dance moms in the 90s and early 2000s. Topics Include: Why both girls were put into dance classes Observations on the co...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 102
Guests - Chelsie Hill and Kim Smith Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 101 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, guests Chelsie Hill, a dancer and wheelchair user, and Kim Smith, founder of A Chance To Dance, a program for dancers with special needs and disabilities, join Courtney and Lesley for a conversation about creating inclusivity in dance. Topics Include: Why Kim doesn't place her dancers in special needs categories at competitive events How Chelsie crea...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 101
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In this episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are joined by several IDA judges to celebrate our 100th episode by counting down the top ten studio habits that we see at competition! From the good habits to the not so good habits, this is a conversation you don't want to miss! Topics Include: Prop use and set up Turn preparations Dancers supporting other dancers If you love Making The Impact and want to support ...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 100
In the April Edition of Q&A With Courtney LIVE, Courtney and special guest IDA Judge Jessica answer your questions on topics including: Does your dancer need an Instagram? Guest choreographers and re-using choreography Pursuing a professional career in New York City 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 sup...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 99
Guests - Jim Keith and Jason Styres Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 98 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, casting director Jason Styres and dance agent Jim Keith sit down with Courtney and Lesley to explain what their respective roles are in relation to professional dancers, and how competitive dance can be a great training tool for the commercial dance world. Topics Include: How to cultivate a good relationship with casting directors, and why reputation ...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 98
Guests - Lenaya Williams and Maddie Barnes Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 97 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, special guests Lenaya Williams and Maddie Barnes give us the inside scoop on what their transitions were like from being competitive dancers to becoming competitive dance teachers. Both provide unique perspectives that are must-hears for dancers wanting to dive straight into teaching competitive dance! Topics Include: How these comp teachers go...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 97
Guests - Summer Aiello & Shannon Thomas Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Being a dance parent requires learning a lot of new information, from theatre etiquette to competition structures. But one thing that’s not covered in any studio handbook is how not to be a stage mom. Joining us on this week's episode of Making the Impact is dance parent Summer Aiello and studio owner Shannon Thomas to school us on the behaviors and qualities that make up an ideal dance parent and how NOT to...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 3Ep. 96
Guests - Rachel Gentry and Justin Quandt Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 95 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judge Rachel Gentry and studio owner Justin Quandt share helpful ideas for studios trying to keep competition dances fresh throughout the season! Topics Include: Why specific goal setting throughout the season will keep boredom at bay New ideas for tedious rehearsal sessions Why focusing on angles and perspectives should be part of your rehea...
Mar 17, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 95
Guests - Dr. Chelsea Pierotti and Claudia H. Stein Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 94 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss mental health in the dance competition industry with Dr. Chelsea Pierotti, a sports psychology consultant for dancers, and Claudia H. Stein, a mindset and wellness coach for dancers. Please note that the information discussed in this episode is not a substitute for mental health care. If you are experiencing ...
Mar 10, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 94
Guest: Kimberly Walsh Rishi Hosts: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Studio Bleu Dance Center in Ashburn, Virginia is one of the largest dance studios in the country, run by Kimberly Rishi. With programs ranging from recreational to competitive dance, acting and vocal groups, a boys program and a ballet program, Studio Bleu truly offers it all, and produces unparalleled talent that is well known throughout the dance industry. Today on Making the Impact, we take a trip into the world of Studio B...
Mar 03, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 93
Guests - Lauren Alto and Mary Hondal Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 92 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, special guests IDA judge Lauren Alto and former student choreographer and current dance major Mary Hondal discuss the benefits to adding student choreography options to your competitive dance studio. Topics Include: How to add opportunities for student choreography at your studio Helpful exercises to use in class to promote creativity in students Per...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 92
Guests - Jason Coosner and Addison Holmes Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 91 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley discuss the importance of ballet programs in the competitive dance world and hear from industry professionals Jason Coosner and Addison Holmes about their experiences developing strong ballet programs at their respective dance studios. Topics Include: What a holistic approach to creating a successful ballet program looks like...
Feb 17, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 91
In the February Edition of Q&A With Courtney, Courtney and special guest IDA judge Jen Garaffa answer your questions on topics including: Is hard work enough to make a dancer stand out? How to deal with a growth spurt Balancing technique and passion as a dancer 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 ...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 90
