Guests - Rachel Edelbrock and Dana Thompson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 174 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by homeschooling dance mom @dancemomdana Dana Thompson and studio director Rachel Edelbrock to give some enlightening insight into the world of homeschooled dancers. Topics Include: The types of homeschooling options that exist for dancers Tips for studio owners who are interested in offering programming for homeschooled dancers...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 174
Guests - Jordan Keyon Moncrief and Ashley Peter Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 173 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are focusing on the show that goes on backstage at a dance competition! Former backstage manager and event director Jordan Keyon Smith and former competition director and IDA judge Ashley Peter join us to give us all the details about what you should know before you head backstage at competition this season! Topics Include: How early y...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 5Ep. 173
Guests - Kimberly Soel and Kevin Grant Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 172 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educators and IDA judges Kimberly Soel and Kevin Grant join us for a discussion about dance parents - specifically, the ones who seem to live vicariously through their dancer. Topics Include: Discussions of the possible causes of overzealous parents Repercussions in the classroom for students who are being pushed to be in class by parents Ad...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 172
Guests - James Murphy and Maria Pomerleau Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 171 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we go deep into one of the most confusing parts of the competitive dance world - awards ceremonies! IDA judge and dance educator Maria Pomerleau and Star Talent Productions host and emcee James Murphy join us for this informative discussion! Topics Include: Types of awards and what they mean How levels affect how many 1st places exist at any gi...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 5Ep. 171
Guests: Rebecca Rosenberg and Emily Rosenberg Hosted by Courtney Ortiz On this week's episode of Making the Impact, Courtney chats with Rebecca and Emily Rosenberg, co-owners of Steps Dance Center in Naperville, Illinois. You may recognize Steps Dance Center from their 5 Industry Dance Awards! Topics include: What makes their studio unique How they both got into studio ownership Why creating customized genre programs works for their dancers! Why versatility matters in a studio setting Help suppo...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 170
Guests - Jessica Olinik and Amy Tully Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 169 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two IDA judges who also wear other hats in the dance world to chat about what goes on during a day of dance competition, from dance parent to dance studio owner to dance judge! Topics Include: Advice for dance parents approaching their first competition season The ins and outs of the duties of a dance teacher or studio owner during...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 169
Guests - Colin Bradbury and Sean Aaron Carmon Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 168 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're bringing in two accomplished male dancers to discuss their experiences as boys who danced growing up, and how those experiences shaped their lives and career paths. Topics Include: How first influences in the studio impacted each guest Advice for young male dancers in the current studio culture The dance belt talk (it had to happen!) ...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 5Ep. 168
Guest: Tommy Scrivens Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz Special BONUS EPISODE! A Platinum Premium Exclusive! To end out the 2023 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 Tommy Scrivens! This episode was recorded in November 2023. Topics include: How does a dancer...
Dec 28, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 167
Guests - IDA Judges and Podcast Fans! Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 166 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from YOU, our listeners, as well as special guest IDA judges about the ridiculous expectations of the competitive dance world! Topics Include: The tiny costumes Full makeup on 5 years olds The time and money invested in dance competitions Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Season 5Ep. 166
Guests - Chase Haley Bowden and Julie Swartz Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 165 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, duo/trios take over! The dance competition world can feel solo-heavy sometimes, so we are focusing on the small but mighty duo/trio category with guests Chase Haley Bowden and Julie Swartz. Topics Include: Best practices for casting duo/trios at the studio What judges wish they would see more of in a duo/trio routine Benefits of duo/trio rou...
Dec 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 165
Guests - Jamie Harris and Rebecca Tyler Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 164 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educator Jamie Harris and studio owner Rebecca Tyler join us for an informative discussion on the best continuing education opportunities for dance teachers! Topics Include: Favorite programs and courses Benefits of continuing education Suggestions for low cost or free continuing ed opportunities Help support our podcast. Join Making The Im...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 164
Guests - Amanda Carter and Sarah Matteson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 163 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, studio owner Amanda Carter and dance educator, adjudicator, and dance mom Sarah Matteson join us to discuss the pros, cons, and everything in between when it comes to dance competitions and dance conventions! Topics Include: Descriptions of what makes competitions and conventions different from each other Reasons why some studios choose convent...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 163
Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Kalie-Ann Nassoura Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Happy Thanksgiving! In Episode 162 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we tackle a topic that has been requested for years - pay rates in the professional dance world! From gigs to long contracts, commercial work to Broadway, professional dancers Ashley Marinelli and Kalie-Ann Nassoura give you the details on how much you can make as a dancer! Topics Include: A brief overview of union vs...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 162
Guest: Nicole Wells Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Our first international studio spotlight features Dance Force Australia, owned and directed by Nicole Wells! Dance Force's programming includes several unique offerings for students who want to train at a pre-professional level, as well as a full recreational program for those who just want to have fun! Follow Dance Force Australia on social media @danceforce and be sure to check out their upcoming projects! Help support our podcas...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 161
Guests - Nicole Perry and Keanu Uchida Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 160 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, intimacy director and dance educator Nicole Perry and NEAMA co-founder and advocate for awareness of sexual abuse in the dance industry, Keanu Uchida, sit down for a candid conversation about improper behavior, unfair power dynamics, and abuse in the dance industry. *While we do not discuss any graphic details pertaining to sexual abuse in this ep...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 160
Guests - Brittany Nicholas and Miranda Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 159 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two incredible former competitive dancers turned professional dancers join us to talk about their experiences as swings and understudies, and how their time in the competition world helped prepare them for these unique roles on stages from Broadway to concert dance. Topics Include: A crash course on professional stage terminology The ins and...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 5Ep. 159
Guests - Kelsey Nelson and Terrill Mitchell Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 158 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the King and Queen of across the floor join us for a conversation on this fun and necessary topic! Kelsey Nelson and Terrill Mitchell are known for their challenging and beneficial across the floor progressions, and they are sharing some hot tips for teachers! Topics Include: The overall concepts that across the floor work teaches New ways to...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 5Ep. 158
Guests - Chip Abbott and Summer Renner Disher Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 157 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, 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! Topics Include: How to talk about movement quality in class Unique approaches to teaching movement quality Why ...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 157
Guests - Jody Reynard and Andrea Tracy Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 156 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two fantastic dance educators and veteran competition judges, Jody Reynard and Andrea Tracy, to share our thoughts on what makes up a winning routine at competition! Topics Include: Why choreography plays so heavily into the scoring of a routine - and why we can't always tell you about it Do tricks really matter to judges when con...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 156
Guests - Kelin Barr and Mary Marrone Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 155 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, guests Kelin Barr, dance educator in New York, and Mary Marrone, IDA judge and studio owner in Connecticut, join us to outline the benefits of going back to the basics in every style of dance - as well as in every level of dance! Topics Include: Ideas for promoting excitement about the foundational elements of dance Thoughts about why some dance tea...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 155
Guests - Jamie Howes and James Manning Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 154 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we dive into the world of performing arts high schools with two wonderful guests who are the head of the dance department at their schools to give us the inside scoop on what life is like in an academic setting that's devoted to the arts! Topics Include: The relationship between their performing arts schools and the competitive dance studios their...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 154
Guests - Amy Gibson and Morriss Partee Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 153 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judge and dance educator Amy Gibson, and Morriss Partee, owner of Squirrel Trench Audio, to give you the scoop on why you need to edit your music for the competitive dance stage! Topics Include: Tips and tricks to get the best edits possible Common music editing mistakes and how to fix them Why viewing your dance with a cinema...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 5Ep. 153
Guest: Mary Giattino Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Studio Spotlight episodes continue into Season 5 of Making the Impact with Stage Door School of Dance in Long Island, NY. Owner Mary Giattino joins us to give insight into how she successfully took over the family business and continues to train not only excellent dancers but also excellent people. Stage Door School of Dance is the very first recipient of our Making the Impact Award to receive a full studio spotlight feature on o...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 152
Guests - Christina Belinksy and Sam Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 151 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we bring you back to one of the hottest topics in the dance industry today - lyrical vs contemporary. IDA judges and dance educators Christina Belinksy and Sam Quinn weigh in on this discussion. Topics Include: The evolution of the styles and what that means for the competitive dance world The importance of music selection in choosing which sty...
Sep 07, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 5Ep. 151
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Welcome to Season 5 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! In this opening episode, your hosts recap the highlights of the first four seasons, share some exciting updates, and give you a sneak peek of what's to come this season! Topics Include: Podcast cover art winners for Season 5 Fan favorite Making the Impact Award contest New Platinum Premium subscription perks Sneak peek on what's to come in S5! Help support our podcast! Join Making...
Sep 07, 2023•33 min
Guests - Yurel Echezarreta, Daniela Delahuerta, Tatiana Nuñez, Ethan Zeph, Macy McKown Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz In this special summer bonus episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney sits down to interview the cast of West Side Story during her time performing in the musical production this summer at the prestigious regional theatre The Muny located in St. Louis, MO. 5 cast members join her to chat all things dance, their careers as professional performers, their exp...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Guests: Jason Williams and Jared Baker Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Recorded on: June 15th, 2023 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Season 4 of Making The Impact wrapped on June 1st, 2023 but since then, there have been some important conversations making headlines in the dance community when it comes to stolen choreography. Dance educators and choreographers Jason Williams and Jared Baker recently spoke out on social media about discovering that their choreography has been stolen and reproduc...
Jun 29, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 150
Guests: Jason Williams and Jared Baker Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Recorded on: June 15th, 2023 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Season 4 of Making The Impact wrapped on June 1st, 2023 but since then, there have been some important conversations making headlines in the dance community when it comes to stolen choreography. Dance educators and choreographers Jason Williams and Jared Baker recently spoke out on social media about discovering that their choreography has been stolen and reproduc...
Jun 22, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 149
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Season 4 of Making the Impact is coming to an end, but in this episode, we take just a few minutes to share some exciting news and tell you a little about what's coming up in Season 5! Thank you to our loyal listeners for your support this 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 ea...
Jun 01, 2023•32 min
Guests: Austin and Marideth Talenko - Cost n' Mayor Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Cost n' Mayor, the TikTok duo made up of the talented Austin and Marideth Talenko, join us today to share their unlikely journey to influencer fame! From unorthodox beginnings in the dance world to over 6 million followers on social media, this dancing couple is one you will be hearing about for years to come! Follow Cost n' Mayor on social media @cost_n_mayor and be sure to check out their upcoming...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 148
