195 episodes

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of a dance competition judge? What does it take to impress the people behind the table? Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz, professional dancer, educator and owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators, and Lesley Mealor, veteran performer and judge, on Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, as they dive into all things dance competition! Each week, listen as Courtney and Lesley discuss various hot topics with members of the IDA judges’ roster and other special guests in the dance world, from technique, to costumes, to the dreaded question - “Tights…or no tights?” Stay tuned for special studio spotlight episodes, round table chats and so much more! Weekly episodes launch every Thursday throughout the dance season! 

Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Impact Dance Adjudicators

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 236 Ratings

Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of a dance competition judge? What does it take to impress the people behind the table? Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz, professional dancer, educator and owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators, and Lesley Mealor, veteran performer and judge, on Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, as they dive into all things dance competition! Each week, listen as Courtney and Lesley discuss various hot topics with members of the IDA judges’ roster and other special guests in the dance world, from technique, to costumes, to the dreaded question - “Tights…or no tights?” Stay tuned for special studio spotlight episodes, round table chats and so much more! Weekly episodes launch every Thursday throughout the dance season! 

    Studio Spotlight - Dance Attack Miami

    Studio Spotlight - Dance Attack Miami

    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 Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
    Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!


    This episode is sponsored by:
    Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
    Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
    Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar! 




    Follow your Hosts & Guests!
    Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizLesley Mealor  - @miss.lesley.danceDance Attack Miami - @danceattackmiami



    Join our NEW Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community 


    Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you! 


    Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox! 


    Follow us on social media at @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com


    Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor at the Capezio Flagship Store in the heart of New York City for a LIVE podcast recording of Making the Impact!  PLUS - a bonus master class with Courtney, lunch at Capezio, swag bag freebies, dance wear discounts & more! Saturday, March 30th, 2024 - RSVP and register for class now! 

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Hip Hop at Competition - What is Missing in the Genre

    Hip Hop at Competition - What is Missing in the Genre

    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 in hip hop choreography at competition Advice for studio owners looking for quality hip hop teachers


    Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
    Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!




    Follow your Hosts & Guests!
    Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceJustin Streeter - @s.t.r.e.e.t.e.r.jAngelina Familara - @angelinafamilaraKarlo Familara - @karlofamilara, @kachoreography


    This episode is sponsored by:
    Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
    Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
    Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!

    Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
    Send us a video of your dance, and an IDA Judge will critique your routine. You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add our additional feedback to take your performance to the next level.
    Click here to submit your video now!

    Check out our IDA Affiliated Competition and Sponsor: Axis Dance Competition!
    Visit their website to view their 2024 Tour Dates! 



    Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community 



    Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you! 



    Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox! 


    Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and
    Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor at the Capezio Flagship Store in the heart of New York City for a LIVE podcast recording of Making the Impact!  PLUS - a bonus master class with Courtney, lunch at Capezio, swag bag freebies, dance wear discounts & more! Saturday, March 30th, 2024 - RSVP and register for class now! 

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 12 min
    Mini Dancers Who Peak Too Early

    Mini Dancers Who Peak Too Early

    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 group due to their abilities How to avoid the burnout that comes with over-training at a young age


    Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
    Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!




    Follow your Hosts & Guests!
    Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceKate Biernat - @kateemily5Krysten Danielle - @mskrystendance
    Join us for a LIVE Podcast Recording at the Capezio Flagship Store in New York City - Saturday, March 30th, 2024! Swag bags, exclusive merchandise, discounts, freebies, donation jazz class with Courtney and so much more! Mark your calendars! 
    Learn more and RSVP now on our website!


    This episode is sponsored by:
    Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
    Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
    Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!

    Relative Motion - Injury Prevention apparel, teacher trainings, and in-studio workshops to transform your technique while preventing injuries.
    Receive 10 % off any apparel/program purchase or $500 off workshop pricing with the code: IMPACT10
    Click here to register for their Total Technique Teacher Training Academy!

    Check out IDA-Affiliated Competition Gems Dance Competition!
    View their 2024 tour dates and register now at www.dancegems.com



    Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community 


    Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor at the Capezio Flagship Store in the heart of New York City for a LIVE podcast recording of Making the Impact!  PLUS - a bonus master class with Courtney, lunch at Capezio, swag bag freebies, dance wear discounts & more! Saturday, March 30th, 2024 - RSVP and register for class now! 

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 35 min
    Perfecting the Pirouette - Tips from the Pros

    Perfecting the Pirouette - Tips from the Pros

    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 teaching pirouettes Opinions on the best prep position for certain turns The importance of knowing your audience when choreographing turns


    Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
    Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!




    Follow your Hosts & Guests!
    Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceLisa Curatolo Turpin - @lisacuratoloturpinExpressenz Dance Center - @expressenzDrew Burgess - @drewdances


    Check out our guest’s current projects! 
    Join Expressenz for a summer technique intensive focusing on turns!
    July 19-21 in Indianapolis -  Register here! 



    This episode is sponsored by:
    Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
    Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
    Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!


    Check out our IDA Affiliated Competition and Sponsor: Just Dance Invitational




    Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community 



    Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you! 



    Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox! 


    Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at
    Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor at the Capezio Flagship Store in the heart of New York City for a LIVE podcast recording of Making the Impact!  PLUS - a bonus master class with Courtney, lunch at Capezio, swag bag freebies, dance wear discounts & more! Saturday, March 30th, 2024 - RSVP and register for class now! 

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 30 min
    Homeschooling and Dance - What's Right For Your Dancer

    Homeschooling and Dance - What's Right For Your Dancer

    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 Do homeschooled dancers succeed in dance at a higher rate than their public or private schooled peers?Ways to determine if homeschooling is right for your dancer


    Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
    Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!




    Follow your Hosts & Guests!
    Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceRachel Edelbrock - @rachelmichelledanceDana Thompson - @dancemomdana


    This episode is sponsored by:
    Francisco Gella Dance Works- Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
    Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
    Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!

    Apolla Performance
    The benefit of a shoe + the comfort of a sock. Try Apolla Shocks and use code IMPACT10 for 10% off at checkout!

    Check out IDA Affiliated Competition Dive Dance Competition!




    Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community 



    Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you! 



    Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox! 


    Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com
    Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor at the Capezio Flagship Store in the heart of New York City for a LIVE podcast recording of Making the Impact!  PLUS - a bonus master class with Courtney, lunch at Capezio, swag bag freebies, dance wear discounts & more! Saturday, March 30th, 2024 - RSVP and register for class now! 

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Behind the Curtain - What You Need to Know Backstage at Competition

    Behind the Curtain - What You Need to Know Backstage at Competition

    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 you should arrive backstage before your routine Backstage etiquette and behavior expectations Things you should absolutely tell your backstage manager before you hit the stage


    Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:
    Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!
    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!




    Follow your Hosts & Guests!
    Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceJordan Keyon Moncrief - @jordankeyonAshley Peter - @ashleypeternyc

    This episode is sponsored by:
    Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
    Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
    Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!


    Check out our IDA Affiliated Competition and Sponsor: Axis Dance Competition! Visit their website to view their 2024 Tour Dates! 



    Join our FREE Facebook Group and connect with us! Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast Community 


    Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! We would love to hear from you! 


    Join our Newsletter for weekly episode releases straight to your inbox! 



    Follow Impact Dance Adjudicators on social media @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com


    Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor at the Capezio Flagship Store in the heart of New York City for a LIVE podcast recording of Making the Impact!  PLUS - a bonus master class with Courtney, lunch at Capezio, swag bag freebies, dance wear discounts & more! Saturday, March 30th, 2024 - RSVP and register for class now! 

    Support the show

    • 1 hr 20 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
236 Ratings

236 Ratings

Dancing queen 🩵 ,

Chase Haley Bowden

I got to take a class from chase haley Bowden recently at revel dance convention and I got to dance in the ending showcase and he choreographed it and it was amazing choreography and a friend at my studio had a big crush on him

Krystin Petrilli ,

Wonderful Information

I can not suggest Making The Impact enough. They cover such a wide variety of topics and their information is both useful and relevant. I like to listen when I'm in the car waiting for my kids.

lmsimmons13 ,

Tackling Fantastic Topics!

Lesley and Courtney- my dancers and I as their mom spend lots of time traveling to and from the studio and this podcast has been so great for all 3 of us in the car and has sparked meaningful conversations about their dance technique, studio policies, polishing their dances, and even tough topics that needed addressing and how we might feel about them. Thanks for making this such a dancer friendly podcast we can all enjoy together to spark so many great conversations that help us all to grow. I’ve recommended you to so many. Keep them coming!

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