Guests - Dana Moore and MaryAnn Lamb Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 201 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are introducing a new Spotlight Feature Episode series featuring different genres of dance. Kicking off this series is a subgenre of jazz dance - you know it when you see it - Fosse! With us today are two giants in the industry, MaryAnn Lamb and Dana Moore, to share their invaluable insights into this highly specialized style. Topics Include: Wha...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 201
Guests - Tommy Scrivens, Jacqueline Baligian, Brionna Trilling, Michelle Tolson, Ashley Peter Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 200 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by some incredible IDA judges and dance educators to answer listener-submitted questions, and celebrate 200 episodes of our show live in person in New York City! Topics Include: How to handle jealousy at the studio What it takes to become a judge Tips for how to better portray di...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 200
Guests - Julia Galloway and Kiera Letts Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 199 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we revisit the sometimes fraught topic of levels at competition. Love them or hate them, levels generate a lot of feelings, and competition host and judge Julia Galloway and choreographer and IDA judge Kiera Letts share theirs with us on this episode! Topics Include: The trouble with in-studio levels and competition levels How to solve the "danci...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 199
Guest - Preston Miller Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 198 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Preston Miller, owner of TDA Prep, gives us a crash course on the best ways to choose summer or winter dance intensives! Whether you are just starting your dance journey or have a few intensives under your belt, this episode delivers crucial information for decision-making! Topics Include: The ideal timeline for researching and choosing intensives The pros and co...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 198
Guests - Katie Lebron and Robert Duran Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 197 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore the exciting world of costuming for competitive dance with Robert Duran, costume designer and former studio owner, and IDA judge and dance educator Katie Lebron. Topics Include: How even small details in costuming can affect the way a piece of choreography is perceived Inclusive costuming and how we can continue to do better Catalog cos...
Oct 17, 2024•58 min•Season 6Ep. 197
Guests - Cara Dixon and Megan Meier Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 196 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore just a taste of the exciting and educational world of anatomy and alignment for dancers! Cara Dixon of Relative Motion and Megan Meier of Oklahoma Performing Arts Collective share their expertise as we scratch the surface of this subject. Topics Include: The importance of working in parallel as well as turn out Hypermobility and the danger...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 196
Guests - Alicia Mae Holloway and Peter Stark Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 195 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore the world of ballet competitions and discover that while there are some differences from the competition atmosphere we're used to, there are more similarities than we thought! Joining us today are professional dancer and judge Alicia Mae Holloway and director of The Rock School For Dance Education, Peter Stark. Topics Include: A b...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 195
Guests - Amira Azimi, Cayse Day, Tara Iacobucci Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 194 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by dance studio director and IDA Judge Tara Iacobucci and hosts of the Two Dance Moms Podcast, Amira Azimi and Cayse Day, to talk about ways to support your dancer. Topics Include: Best practices for parents on when to intervene and when to let your dancer handle issues themselves Why communication is key for studio owners, ...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 194
Guests - Noel Bajandas, Meghan Sanett Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 193 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking about the IT factor - that elusive, un-teachable element that we all strive for. Our guests Noel Bajandas and Meghan Sanett give us some insight into how to develop the IT factor and wow your audience! Topics Include: What the IT factor is and isn't Does the IT factor have anything to do with perfect technique? Tips to develop your o...
Sep 19, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 193
Guests: Yolanda Fernandez-Quincoces, Alexis Toledo Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor The winner of the Making the Impact Award Fan Favorite Contest this summer was "Working Day and Night", a tap routine from Yolanda's Academy of Music & Dance in West New York, NJ. We are excited to share their story on our only Studio Spotlight Feature of Season 6! Follow Yolanda's Academy of Music & Dance on social media @yolandas_academy and learn more on their website: https://www.yolandasa...
Sep 12, 2024•59 min•Season 6Ep. 192
Guests - Josh Bergasse, Richard J. Hinds, Sarah Meahl Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 191 of Making The Impact—A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by some of the top choreographers in the industry whose choreography was stolen in a scandal that went viral this summer. Topics Include: The details of how it was discovered that multiple choreographers' work was stolen and taught for profit in Spain What steps are being taken to raise awareness of the plagiarism proble...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 191
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Season 6 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is finally here! Listen as Courtney and Lesley recap their very busy summers, share some highlights of season 5, and give you a sneak peek into what's in store for season 6! Topics Include: Cover art contest winners for season 6 Making the Impact Award fan favorite contest winner Upcoming episode topic teasers Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription to...
Sep 05, 2024•40 min
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor 🌟 PLATINUM PREMIUM EXCLUSIVE! 🌟 Making the Impact Live at the Capezio Flagship Store in New York City! March 2024. This is very special summer bonus episode from our very first ever LIVE Podcast event in New York City at the Capezio Flagship Store! This live event sponsored by Capezio was held in Times Square on Saturday, March 30th, 2024. We hosted a jazz class with over 40 dancers and our live podcast recording was completely SOLD OUT! We had danc...
Jul 30, 2024•49 min
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Season 5 of Making the Impact might be over, but we have some fun things in store for you this summer and next season! Thank you for listening and supporting our podcast, and we can't wait for season 6! Mark your calendars - Season 6 launches Thursday, September 5th, 2024! 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 ...
Jun 06, 2024•39 min
Guests - IDA Judges Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 190 of Making the Impact, we hear from IDA judges around the country about the highs and lows of the 2024 competition season! Topics Include: Favorite themes at competition Technique issues Music choices Choreography trends 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 answ...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 5Ep. 190
Guests - Joshua Dawson, Mary Hondal and Laci Justice Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 189 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear straight from dancers in three college dance programs - Pace University, University of Alabama, and Point Park University - about what life is like as a dance major! Topics Include: How each program is structured What each dancer wishes they knew before entering their program How their competitive dance career prepared them f...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 189
Guests - Suzanne Citere and Amanda Nicole DiTullio Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 188 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, studio owner Suzanne Citere and dance educator and IDA judge Amanda Nicole DiTullio sit down to discuss the pros and cons of using in-house choreographers versus hiring outside choreographers for your dancers. Topics Include: Best practices for hiring outside choreographers and being hired as an outside choreographer Why it may serve y...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Season 5Ep. 188
Guest: Justin Johnson Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Beyond Belief Dance Company out of Mesquite, Texas, is known for its incredible performance quality, high level of commitment, and unique choreographic concepts. Owned and operated by Justin Johnson (who you may also know as his drag persona, Alyssa Edwards), Beyond Belief Dance Company strives to give the best instruction to each individual student that walks through the door! Follow Beyond Belief Dance Company on Instagram @bey...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 187
Guests - Menina Fortunato and Sissa Strain Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 186 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, industry professionals Menina Fortunato and Sissa Strain give us their best advice for dancers making the transition from the competitive world to the professional world. Topics Include: Things that make you stand out as a beginner in the industry Why networking is so important at the start of your career How to navigate the feast or famine na...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 5Ep. 186
Guests - Deborah Engerman and Jim Nowakowski Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 185 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two seasoned ballet educators join us to discuss all things ballet, from the relevance of a dress code to what they think is missing in the ballet training of competitive dancers! Topics Include: Why the dress code still matters in ballet Things that are missing from the ballet training of competitive dancers A teaser of pointe readiness - s...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 5Ep. 185
Guests - Richshawna and Saliha Sims, and Emily Martin Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 184 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from three perspectives - a studio owner, a dance parent, and a dancer about how to change studios and what to look for when making the decision! Topics Include: How to recognize when it may be time to change studios Best practices for researching a new studio How to address any negative repercussions of changing studios Hel...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 184
Guests - Rachel Roberts and Tommy Scrivens Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 183 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two veteran IDA judges join us to discuss how we remain as objective as possible when judging, while also trying to stay human and enjoy the art of dance! Topics Include: The different reasons a judge may be emotionally affected by a routine Strategies for separating emotions from the work without losing the ability to take in the art How emot...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 183
Guests - Madi Hicks and Doug Baum Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 182 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we talk to two contemporary concert dancers about their experiences in the company dance scene and hear advice for young dancers interested in pursuing this path! Topics Include: The type of training needed to succeed in the concert dance world What kinds of jobs are available to concert dancers How concert dance and commercial dance are different Help...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 182
Guests - Jodi Ashby and Melanie Manning Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 181 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two long-time dance parents of competitive dancers join us to give their tips, tricks, and advice for the long and beautiful journey that is the competitive dance world! Topics Include: Benefits of competitive dance that are specific to this activity How to handle the struggles that come up over the years in the dance studio Packing and organizat...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 5Ep. 181
Guests - Caroline Lewis-Jones and Rebecca Rowley Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 180 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by certified health coach and dance educator Caroline Lewis-Jones and registered dietician Rebecca Rowley to discuss some ideas for fueling our dancers during competition weekends, as well as during the week! Topics Include: How to stay healthy and fueled on a budget Easy ways to add important nutrients to your weekly meal ...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 180
Guests - Jake Allen Smith and Chloe Roberts Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 179 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we take on one of the hottest topics in the dance industry today - cameras in the classroom! Dance videographer Jake Allen Smith and IDA judge, educator and professional dancer Chloe Roberts share their thoughts on the pros and cons of this relatively new phenomenon. Topics Include: The evolution of cameras in dance education spaces How to ge...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 5Ep. 179
Guests: Cookie Ramos and John Culbertson Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Dance Attack Miami has been in business for 29 years, and owners Cookie Ramos and John Culbertson see no end in sight for their studio that started with only 7 students! With a focus on quality over quantity, Dance Attack Miami gives a well-rounded dance education that has seen alumni go on to careers on Broadway, on cruise ships, in film and tv, and more! Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Plat...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 178
Guests - Justin Streeter, Angelina and Karlo Familara Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 177 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by Justin Streeter, and Angelina and Karlo Familara, all educators of street styles and hip hop, to discuss their points of view when it comes to the hip hop category at competition. Topics Include: Why foundations and fundamentals matter in hip hop and street styles just as much as in ballet What they are looking for ...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 177
Guests - Kate Biernat and Krysten Danielle Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 176 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we focus on the tiniest dancers who defy all expectations, only to burn out at a young age. IDA judge Kate Biernat and dance educator Krysten Danielle give their unique perspectives and advice for the youngest of dancers. Topics Include: Typical weekly schedule for high-achieving minis What happens when minis have to dance with an older age gr...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Season 5Ep. 176
Guests - Drew Burgess and Lisa Curatolo Turpin Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 175 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, pirouettes are the name of the game! We hear from Lisa Curatolo Turpin, director of Expressenz Dance Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Drew Burgess, IDA judge and dance educator, about their thoughts on what makes the perfect recipe for successful pirouettes! Topics Include: How to set yourself (and your students) up for success when te...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Season 5Ep. 175
