Latest / Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast / IDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions

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IDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions · Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

0:07
SPEAKER_00: Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the table at a dance competition?
0:10
SPEAKER_00: Exactly what are the judges looking for anyway?
0:13
SPEAKER_00: This is Making the Impact, a dance competition podcast.
0:15
SPEAKER_00: Each week we'll cover a different topic related to the world of competitive dance from the perspective of the judges behind the table.
0:27
SPEAKER_00: StarTalent Productions celebrates their 20th season this year and it's a proud IBA affiliated competition.
0:33
SPEAKER_00: Based in North Carolina, Star Talent serves the Southeastern region with a full season of events and the fun-filled nationals in Myrtle Beach.
0:40
SPEAKER_00: Joining Courtney today is owner Jen Armstrong to share more about what makes Star Talent so special.
0:47
SPEAKER_02: Hey Dance World, welcome to our next episode on Making the Impact a Dance Competition Podcast.
0:53
SPEAKER_02: I am your host, Courtney Ortiz, and I am flying solo today for our very last competition spotlight feature on season seven of Making the Impact.
1:03
SPEAKER_02: We absolutely love featuring IDA affiliated competitions on our podcast.
1:08
SPEAKER_02: It is such a treat to get to sit down with the owners and some of the staff members from these events that you might attend.
1:16
SPEAKER_02: Maybe you've been to an IDA affiliated competition event.
1:19
SPEAKER_02: Maybe you are uh have been a recipient of the Making the Impact Award that are given out at all of our IDA affiliates.
1:26
SPEAKER_02: And truly, IDA wouldn't even be possible if we didn't have competitions that supported our mission by hiring our pre-screened background-checked judges and bringing them to their events.
1:37
SPEAKER_02: So we're so grateful for all of the partnerships that we've created for our 10 plus years in the business.
1:43
SPEAKER_02: But before we jump into this chat, I would love to share some of our recent Making the Impact Award winners that are given out at IDA affiliated competitions.
1:51
SPEAKER_02: And this is a super unique award that is only given at those events.
1:55
SPEAKER_02: We sponsor this award through Making the Impact Podcast, and we are very grateful for the competitions that allow us to present this because we love recognizing one dance from each event that stands out to the IDA judges on the panel.
2:08
SPEAKER_02: Fun fact with this award is that you also get a shout-out live on our podcast, and all winners will be entered into a fan favorite voting contest at the end of the regional season in June, and they have the opportunity to potentially win a full studio episode on making the impact in next season.
2:28
SPEAKER_02: We have some recent winners that we are pumped to share from the competition that we are featuring today.
2:34
SPEAKER_02: So let's hear some of those winners.
2:35
SPEAKER_02: From Star Talent Productions event in Spartanburg, South Carolina, congrats to New Attitude Performing Arts Center from Rock Hill, South Carolina for their large group, Ailey.
2:46
SPEAKER_02: And from Star Talent Productions event in Carrollton, Georgia.
2:49
SPEAKER_02: Congrats to the Dance Center on Maine from Wheatowie, Alabama for their small group, Paula.
2:55
SPEAKER_02: Congrats to all of our recent Making the Impact Award winners.
2:58
SPEAKER_02: Be sure to register your award by scanning the QR code on the back.
3:01
SPEAKER_02: And stay tuned to hear your shout out coming soon on a future Making the Impact episode.
3:08
SPEAKER_02: Today we are sitting down with a competition who has been with us since our very first year, which is so amazing to say.
3:17
SPEAKER_02: I can't believe it when I think about it.
3:18
SPEAKER_02: And I'm so grateful for their support since the start of our creation.
3:23
SPEAKER_02: It was kind of tough to get IDA on its feet and to pitch this service to competitions and explain to them what exactly we're bringing to the industry and why it matters and why it's valuable and can help bring even hopefully more business to their events.
3:39
SPEAKER_02: Because by having qualified judges sitting on the judging panels, hopefully it will attract studios that really love those critiques and really think that scoring is working out.
3:47
SPEAKER_02: So I think it's a win-win for everybody in the industry.
3:50
SPEAKER_02: And um, I'm really proud and excited to feature this competition who is celebrating their 20th anniversary season.
3:58
SPEAKER_02: They were created back in 2007.
4:01
SPEAKER_02: And Star Talent Productions is here to deliver a first class competition for all levels of dancers.
4:08
SPEAKER_02: Their goal is to provide you with an atmosphere that is fun, organized, and fair for dancers, teachers, and parents.
4:14
SPEAKER_02: And they believe that competition is about becoming the best dancer that you can be in performance and attitude.
4:20
SPEAKER_02: I'm very excited to welcome three fabulous guests joining us from Star Talent Productions, the owner of Star Talent, Jen Armstrong, and the host and event directors, Devin Pendleton and James Murphy.
4:34
SPEAKER_02: Welcome, y'all.
4:36
SPEAKER_02: Hi, Courtney.
4:37
unknown: Yay!
4:38
SPEAKER_02: I'm so happy that y'all can be here.
4:40
SPEAKER_02: And again, thank you so much for supporting IDA from the jump.
4:45
SPEAKER_02: I have got to meet all of you in person.
4:47
SPEAKER_02: Had the opportunity to work for Star Talent as a judge.
4:51
SPEAKER_02: I've popped into nationals recently in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to see how it was going.
4:56
SPEAKER_02: And fun fact, everybody who's a diehard that's listening to Making the Impact, James Murphy was actually a previous guest on our podcast as well on season five, episode 171, a crash course on award ceremonies.
5:10
SPEAKER_06: So happy to be back.
5:12
SPEAKER_06: Thank you so much, Courtney.
5:13
SPEAKER_06: It's always a pleasure.
5:15
SPEAKER_02: I know, I love having y'all, and I'm excited for Devin and Jen to be here.
5:19
SPEAKER_02: So welcome to the pod, y'all.
5:20
SPEAKER_02: You made it.
5:21
SPEAKER_03: Thank you.
5:21
SPEAKER_02: And congrats on 20 years.
5:24
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, 20 years.
5:25
SPEAKER_02: That's a lot.
5:26
SPEAKER_03: Where does the time go?
5:27
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
5:28
SPEAKER_02: Truly.
5:29
SPEAKER_02: Truly.
5:29
SPEAKER_02: I mean, fun fact 2007.
5:31
SPEAKER_02: Uh oh.
5:32
SPEAKER_02: That's when I graduated high school.
5:34
SPEAKER_02: Oh my gosh.
5:36
SPEAKER_02: So is it my 20th year like high school reunion coming up?
5:40
SPEAKER_02: Like when uh I'm scared about thinking about it.
5:42
SPEAKER_04: I too graduated in uh 20 2007.
5:46
SPEAKER_04: You did?
5:46
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, but I was thinking the other day, do you remember uh the nationals year?
5:50
SPEAKER_04: This was before IDA when you were just thinking about it.
5:53
SPEAKER_04: You were starting to talk more and more about it.
5:55
SPEAKER_04: What year was that?
5:56
SPEAKER_02: That had to have been so we started IDA in 2014.
6:01
SPEAKER_02: So that was probably 2013, I guess.
6:04
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
6:05
SPEAKER_02: I mean, I think maybe it might have been 2014 because like we officially, I'd say fall 2014 is when IDA kind of came into the industry.
6:13
SPEAKER_02: But was I working with you guys before that?
6:16
SPEAKER_02: I can't remember.
6:18
SPEAKER_04: James, do you remember?
6:18
SPEAKER_04: So it was it was a particular year.
6:20
SPEAKER_04: I think Rob Gibbs was there, Julie Swartz.
6:23
SPEAKER_04: Um, and then you were telling us one.
6:25
SPEAKER_04: You were tell well, I remember a time when you were telling us of what you were gonna do, and we were just kind of listening to the ideas of what you wanted to create.
6:33
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, maybe.
6:34
SPEAKER_02: I can't even remember, y'all.
6:36
SPEAKER_02: It's been so long.
6:39
SPEAKER_02: Either way, I'm grateful.
6:40
SPEAKER_02: And you had what a great panel, Rob, Julie, and Julie still is an active judge at Star Talent.
6:46
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
6:47
SPEAKER_06: Oh, yeah, we love Julie.
6:48
SPEAKER_02: And Julie and I grew up at the same dance studio, and she was someone that I admired and looked up to my entire life.
6:53
SPEAKER_02: She was one of the older girls that was a few years ahead of me, and her younger sister was my duo partner.
6:59
SPEAKER_02: So, like fun facts in We Love You, Julie Swartz.
7:03
SPEAKER_02: Shout out.
7:03
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, oh, she's here.
7:04
SPEAKER_03: Julie, you do want to come over?
7:07
SPEAKER_02: Oh, I love it.
7:08
SPEAKER_02: Well, I would love to get to know y'all even more on a personal level, since you know we are, we do work together on the business side of things.
7:17
SPEAKER_02: But feel free to share with the world a little bit more about you, where you're you're from, where uh a little bit more about your early dance life and how you got into this role at Star Talent and also what you're working on now as well.
7:34
SPEAKER_02: Um, outside of Star Talent, if this is not the only thing that you do throughout the competition season.
7:38
SPEAKER_02: So let's kick it off with Jennifer Armstrong, the owner of Star Talent.
7:43
SPEAKER_01: Well, hello again, and I'm Jennifer, the like I said, the owner of Star Talent.
7:47
SPEAKER_01: I am a mom of a 13-year-old, and during competition season, there is nothing else I do outside of dance.
7:55
SPEAKER_01: From February to June, it is all consuming.
7:59
SPEAKER_01: But I did uh teach dance a long time ago.
8:02
SPEAKER_01: Well, I have never ever competed on a competition stage.
8:07
SPEAKER_01: No way.
8:07
SPEAKER_01: While I took dance, it was at recreational studios, or I wasn't going to be the one to do it.
8:14
SPEAKER_01: Um so nervous.
8:17
SPEAKER_01: Um, so I actually never had that personal experience, but I taught others to do that and went to competitions with them and just came to the point where it was time for something different.
8:29
SPEAKER_01: And I love the administrative side of this.
8:32
SPEAKER_01: I actually do like the scheduling.
8:34
SPEAKER_01: I like talking to the studios before we ever meet them on the back end.
8:38
SPEAKER_01: And that is, I think, my role as the owner to do the organizational bits and James and Devin get to be what you see when you get there.
8:47
SPEAKER_01: I prefer to hide.
8:50
SPEAKER_01: Do you really?
8:51
SPEAKER_01: Do you hide?
8:52
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, well, a lot of times I'll have my laptop in a back, you know, staff room working on the next weekend city if I am there.
9:00
SPEAKER_01: But you know, over the 20 years we've gotten to a point where I don't have to be there all the time.
9:06
SPEAKER_01: And that's refreshing for me.
9:07
SPEAKER_01: I think it's refreshing for my staff.
9:09
SPEAKER_01: And it's just I can count on them.
9:11
SPEAKER_01: And it took us a little time to get here, but we are here and they are self-sufficient on our own.
9:16
SPEAKER_02: I love that.
9:17
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
9:17
SPEAKER_02: So to anyone that emails and reaches out to Star Talent, they're probably hearing from you on the back end.
9:24
SPEAKER_02: That's me.
9:24
SPEAKER_02: It's you.
9:27
SPEAKER_02: Fabulous.
9:28
SPEAKER_02: Well, Jennifer, I'm so grateful that you're here and sharing everything about Star Talent today.
9:33
SPEAKER_02: And congratulations on 20 years.
9:35
SPEAKER_02: Thank you, Courtney.
9:36
SPEAKER_02: All right, next up, let's head over to Devin.
9:38
SPEAKER_02: Tell us a little bit more about you.
9:40
SPEAKER_04: Well, so uh by day, I'm the producing artistic director for a theater program in Martinsville, Virginia, at a community college.
9:48
SPEAKER_04: I've going on year 15.
9:50
SPEAKER_02: Wow, okay.
9:51
SPEAKER_04: Also, coincidentally, enough 15 years in the competitive dance space, year 11 with Star Talent.
9:56
SPEAKER_04: So that's that pretty much keeps me busy.
9:59
SPEAKER_04: I know that there's a question question later on, and I can't wait to tell you that story of how uh Devin came to Star Talent.
10:05
SPEAKER_04: But I live in Roanoke, Virginia, and so still commute in to Martinsville, which is about an hour away.
10:11
SPEAKER_04: I'm two hours from Jen and probably about eight from James.
10:14
SPEAKER_04: So I really only get to see Jen, uh James maybe once or twice a year.
10:18
SPEAKER_04: So this is does this count as one of our times, sis?
10:21
SPEAKER_04: Does this count?
10:23
SPEAKER_04: No, I need to see you in person.
10:24
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, we do.
10:26
SPEAKER_04: But I I love doing this.
10:28
SPEAKER_04: I was not a comp kid.
10:29
SPEAKER_04: I was not, I didn't take uh dance in a studio.
10:32
SPEAKER_04: You know, I've always been a theater kid, and uh, but I've since been so fully immersed into the dance space, mostly the competitive side.
10:39
SPEAKER_02: Wow.
10:40
SPEAKER_02: I love that.
10:40
SPEAKER_02: And you know what?
10:41
SPEAKER_02: It's really interesting.
10:42
SPEAKER_02: I feel like that theater people make some really great dance competition hosts, y'all.
10:47
SPEAKER_02: Like I like uh You know, like you it it takes a really special person to run a show, and it takes a really special person to understand like how to shift gears on the fly and like add some filler time in there and interact with the audience and make it fun and engaging.
11:02
SPEAKER_02: And I I've been at Star Talent, people who are listening who have attended y'all's events, you two make the experience so fantastic.
11:11
SPEAKER_02: So I just want to give you your flowers.
11:13
SPEAKER_02: Thank you.
11:14
SPEAKER_06: Thank you.
11:15
SPEAKER_06: Thank you.
11:16
SPEAKER_06: We have a great time.
11:17
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, James.
11:18
SPEAKER_02: Hi up.
11:19
SPEAKER_06: Oh my gosh.
11:20
SPEAKER_06: Hi, so James Murphy here.
11:22
SPEAKER_06: I by day am a corporate trainer.
11:25
SPEAKER_06: I've been doing that for 19 years, so one year less than I've been at Star Talent.
11:30
SPEAKER_06: So I've been with Star Talent since the inaugural season.
11:33
SPEAKER_06: And to give you, since I'm giving the background anyway, I did not grow up dancing.
11:38
SPEAKER_06: I started late.
11:39
SPEAKER_06: So I started when I was around 16 years old, and my first competitive dance teacher was Jen Armstrong.
11:45
SPEAKER_03: Yes, I love this.
11:51
SPEAKER_06: And you know, I think she kind of glazes over it, but she produced many award-winning routines as a competition instructor.
12:00
SPEAKER_02: I believe it.
12:05
SPEAKER_06: And so, you know, leading into kind of how I started with Star Talent, it was kind of a natural progression.
12:10
SPEAKER_06: Um, I um ended up moving away to New York to uh pursue a professional career in dance.
12:16
SPEAKER_06: And when I moved back to North Carolina, um I continued dancing professionally while also teaching dance.
12:22
SPEAKER_06: And um, Jen and I had a strong relationship.
12:24
SPEAKER_06: So when she decided to start her comp uh competition, she said, Hey, you know, I need help, right?
12:29
SPEAKER_06: You're you're just starting a business.
12:30
SPEAKER_06: I'm sure you understand, Courtney, right?
12:32
SPEAKER_06: You're it's all hands on deck, right?
12:33
SPEAKER_06: And of course, you know, being being her friend at that point, I said, Absolutely, sign me up.
12:38
SPEAKER_06: What do you want me to do?
12:39
SPEAKER_02: Yes, and he's done everything.
12:42
SPEAKER_02: Right.
12:43
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
12:43
SPEAKER_02: I'm sure when you wore a lot of hats since not just being the host, but even as event directors, like we talked about before we started recording.
12:51
SPEAKER_02: I was like, so what are y'all's roles at Star Talent outside of hosting the awards?
12:56
SPEAKER_02: And Jen's like, they kind of are also an event director.
12:59
SPEAKER_02: We have event directors, but they also do a lot of that too.
13:02
SPEAKER_02: So, you know, I do think it is all hands on deck, not just at the start of the creation of any type of business, but now even 20 years in, they're still doing uh many different roles.
13:14
SPEAKER_02: And it's like it's like a team effort.
13:16
SPEAKER_02: Oh, you need me here, I'll jump in there.
13:17
SPEAKER_02: What do you need me to do to make the show run?
13:20
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah, that's the perfect situation, having people who can do more than one thing.
13:25
SPEAKER_01: So they can jump in as leaders.
13:27
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, it's definitely teamwork.
13:29
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
13:30
SPEAKER_02: We talk about versatility a lot.
13:32
SPEAKER_04: A lot of it comes with audacity.
13:33
SPEAKER_04: You know, James and I, we we think we can do everything and we do most of the time.
13:38
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
13:39
SPEAKER_02: Okay, so now that we're here, Devin, I think it's time for you to share how you got connected with Star Talent because James obviously had the connection with Jen as she was his teacher and there from the jump.
13:51
SPEAKER_02: So, was it once things started expanding with Star Talent?
13:56
SPEAKER_02: How when did you get into the mix and how?
14:00
SPEAKER_04: So, do you want the short or the long version?
14:02
SPEAKER_04: How much time do we have?
14:04
SPEAKER_04: Okay.
14:05
SPEAKER_04: So my my first ever, I think it's important to start at the beginning, and I won't spend too much time on the beginning, and then we'll get to Jen.
14:10
SPEAKER_04: So the first, my first ever experience with any sort of dance competition uh was in Greensboro 2011, and it was a dance mom's event.
14:22
SPEAKER_04: So that was the first ever experience.
14:24
SPEAKER_04: I had no clue.
14:25
SPEAKER_04: I had not been to a dance competition.
14:27
SPEAKER_04: I had dancer friends, but you know, just was not it wasn't my my lifestyle, wasn't what I was used to.
14:32
SPEAKER_04: So that was my my first experience.
14:34
SPEAKER_04: And then I was with uh that company for four years and then um decided uh to step away from the position and around that same time, you know, feeling then just kind of the well, I I'm gonna miss this.
14:45
SPEAKER_04: I'm gonna miss being able to travel in the spring.
14:48
SPEAKER_04: And um, so around that time of just me and my emotions, I was on social media.
14:51
SPEAKER_04: I think it was Facebook, was it, Jen?
14:53
SPEAKER_04: It was Facebook.
14:54
SPEAKER_04: It was Facebook, and I saw that there was a posting looking for uh another MC for Star Talent Productions.
15:02
SPEAKER_04: And so I sent um kind of more immediate the day that I saw it.
15:06
SPEAKER_04: I sent in an email that it said to do, but I I think I sent in a reel.
15:11
SPEAKER_04: Do you remember that?
15:12
SPEAKER_04: I wish I could find it.
15:14
SPEAKER_04: I sent like a link to a video, but it was maybe within like 20, 30 seconds of me hitting send on the email.
15:21
SPEAKER_04: Now, this is my side of the story, Jen.
15:23
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
15:23
SPEAKER_04: My side of the story.
15:24
SPEAKER_01: This is 11 years ago, obviously.
15:26
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
15:27
SPEAKER_04: Is then all of a sudden my phone starts ringing and I'm like, hello.
15:30
SPEAKER_04: It was like, hi, this is Jennifer with Star Talent.
15:32
SPEAKER_04: And then uh we you and I got to talking, and then it was um, hey, when you when can you meet?
15:37
SPEAKER_04: And I think we ended up either meeting that same day at Smokey Bones or we it was the next day.
15:43
SPEAKER_04: And we we sat in Smokey Bones, uh Smoky Bones, right?
15:46
SPEAKER_01: It was Smokey Bones, and I brought all my binders and all my information looking like a librarian coming in.
15:53
SPEAKER_04: I think we sat there for maybe like three hours.
15:57
SPEAKER_04: It had to have been at least over two hours long.
16:00
unknown: Wow.
16:01
SPEAKER_04: But that's my dramatic interpretation, the gay version of how I came to be in Star Talent 11 years ago.
16:07
SPEAKER_04: And then um, so for then first event was Wilkesboro, and that's when I met James uh for the first time.
16:13
SPEAKER_04: And so the thing that I love the most uh about all this, you know, when we we think about how the universe aligns us into what we used to do and now how we're just doing it differently, it was uh the fact that there was an instant connection with Jen, instant connection with James.
16:26
SPEAKER_04: And I think that across the board, that's kind of what we have here at Star Talent is there there is that family-friendly atmosphere presenting, but then it's the family that you see that's helping to put everything together.
16:37
SPEAKER_04: So that's that's why I've chosen to stay and can't imagine a life without Star Talent until Jen pulls the plug and says that Jay and I are just too old to do this.
16:47
SPEAKER_04: We're gonna keep going.
16:49
SPEAKER_04: But that's that's my kind of coming to story.
16:52
SPEAKER_04: It was just kind of like, you know, everything was aligning it from the the email to the meeting to the first event, and now here we are um going into my year 11.
17:00
unknown: Wow.
17:00
SPEAKER_02: Oh my gosh, I love it.
17:02
SPEAKER_02: And did you even interview anybody else, Jen?
17:05
SPEAKER_02: No, I absolutely didn't.
17:07
SPEAKER_01: Three-hour meetings all it took.
17:08
SPEAKER_01: Right.
17:08
SPEAKER_01: I mean, everything just happened so quickly.
17:11
SPEAKER_01: That would be at the time that we started doing double events.
17:14
SPEAKER_01: We could before that we just had single events, and James obviously couldn't be two places at once.
17:18
SPEAKER_01: We've tried, it doesn't work.
17:20
SPEAKER_01: And yeah, so we needed another show host, and we got one who's stuck around for the 11 years.
17:26
SPEAKER_02: How lucky are you to have two people to originate those positions and still be there 20 years in and also not move on to something else?
17:39
SPEAKER_02: And I mean, obviously, life life changes and people have to change, shift gears and figure it out.
17:44
SPEAKER_02: But I I specifically remember, James, you getting a job that took you away and had full time, but you still are doing Star Talent, you know?
17:53
SPEAKER_02: I I think that speaks so highly of what you're doing, Jen, at your events and the the culture that you've created at your competition to keep people around and wanting to come back year after year.
18:05
SPEAKER_02: It really says a lot.
18:06
SPEAKER_02: And I can say from experience that that type of turnover and returning people client, clients, workers, staff, all of it is oftentimes unheard of in the industry.
18:17
SPEAKER_02: So I applaud you for what you're doing.
18:23
SPEAKER_06: I would say fun fact, all most of my vacation every year is taken to attend and work Star Talent events.
18:30
SPEAKER_06: That is how much I believe in the organization.
18:31
SPEAKER_06: It's how much I believe and and and love Jen and everything that she stands for in the community.
18:36
SPEAKER_06: And and truly, it doesn't feel like work.
18:38
SPEAKER_06: I mean, it's long hours, but it really you ha I guess you have to be there and you have, right, to feel it and experience it.
18:45
SPEAKER_06: But it's from the staff to the studios that attend, it is just truly it's a great organization.
18:51
SPEAKER_02: So I love to hear that.
18:53
SPEAKER_02: Well, to all of our listeners, if you're curious as to like where does Star Talent go and what region are they in?
19:01
SPEAKER_02: Can you tell us a little bit more, Jen, about where y'all head each season?
19:05
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I mean, we're mostly in the southeast.
19:07
SPEAKER_01: We have events in North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee.
19:13
SPEAKER_01: And then we hold a Nationals in Myrtle Beach each uh June.
19:17
SPEAKER_01: Perfect, fabulous.
19:18
SPEAKER_02: So, but it how's it looking for this?
19:20
SPEAKER_02: Is there any room left or not really for nationals?
19:23
SPEAKER_01: Uh nationals.
19:25
SPEAKER_01: I mean, we are right at that kind of almost sold out.
19:28
SPEAKER_01: Um, yeah, I guess a a good plea and a reason why, you know.
19:32
SPEAKER_01: Um, there's still some wiggle room.
19:34
SPEAKER_01: But yeah, yeah, we're there.
19:36
SPEAKER_01: We extended in so we are a Tuesday through Sunday now.
19:40
SPEAKER_01: Wow, which I know sounds great.
19:42
SPEAKER_01: So just overwhelming.
19:43
SPEAKER_01: And I've seen people looking for a smaller nationals, like a three-day.
19:47
SPEAKER_01: But I I guess where I struggle there is how how nationals does it feel when your your nationals is just as long as a regional.
19:55
SPEAKER_01: And we do a lot of extra things.
19:56
SPEAKER_01: We're able because we have the space that is key in the venue we're in.
20:00
SPEAKER_01: So we have the areas to do workshop.
20:03
SPEAKER_01: We do an opening number team.
20:05
SPEAKER_01: I'm hoping to do a little more something for the teachers this year, more conference style, more meetings um with each other because we have an extra room there now.
20:16
SPEAKER_01: Great.
20:16
SPEAKER_01: So it's so much so much that we can offer comes down to space.
20:20
SPEAKER_01: That's for the regionals too.
20:21
SPEAKER_01: You know, some of these venues are just slammed packed for dressing room space using every corner that unfortunately we're not able to offer anything extra to have dressing room space, but a nationals we can.
20:33
SPEAKER_02: Amazing.
20:34
SPEAKER_02: Well, I'm uh so happy to hear that it's successful.
20:37
SPEAKER_02: And I like I said, I've stepped in and popped into the nationals when I happen to just be there on vacation.
20:42
SPEAKER_02: Right.
20:42
SPEAKER_02: And was like, let me go see what's how it's looking.
20:45
SPEAKER_02: And it's always just a great time.
20:46
SPEAKER_02: The judges love it, the talent's always really high caliber.
20:50
SPEAKER_02: So uh congrats on all your success and let's jump into some more questions.
20:54
SPEAKER_02: So I would love to know.
20:55
SPEAKER_02: I know you hinted at you love the admin side, but you didn't grow up as a in c competition.
21:01
SPEAKER_02: So besides that, why a dance competition?
21:06
SPEAKER_01: You know, it's just kind of where I knew that I didn't want to I was happy teaching dance, but I had no desire to open up a studio, and it was time just to do that something else because I also taught dance for 17 years.
21:21
SPEAKER_01: And I I still knew I wanted to do something in the industry, and we were in that shift 20 years ago of where recreational studios were starting to compete, you know.
21:31
SPEAKER_01: It wasn't so therefore the levels became more I know, always a controversy, but became more of a need for that.
21:39
SPEAKER_01: And so that's kind of where we got in.
21:42
SPEAKER_01: And so I wanted to just like in our vision, still have that place that maintained professional, organized, and exciting environments.
21:50
SPEAKER_01: And yeah, well, I never danced competitions, I've been to several dance competitions, and not to say that I ever saw anything wrong, but you just saw something of maybe I can bring more life to that part.
22:00
SPEAKER_01: Or maybe we can do that.
22:02
SPEAKER_01: And that's just kind of I guess that's where I was at the time.
22:05
SPEAKER_01: I was spending a lot of time at dance competitions and just started the brain rolling of, you know, what could I bring to the table?
22:11
SPEAKER_01: So we tried it.
22:12
SPEAKER_01: It was never meant to be what it is today.
22:14
SPEAKER_01: I really thought I would continue teaching, and this would just kind of be a side project.
22:19
SPEAKER_01: Maybe two or three events a year, but we tried it, it worked and kept rolling with it to what it is today.
22:27
SPEAKER_02: And I think you're at the perfect sweet spot with how many events you're running in your season schedule.
22:32
SPEAKER_02: It's around like maybe 20-ish.
22:34
SPEAKER_02: So we have 16 regionals and then, of course, the nationals.
22:37
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
22:38
SPEAKER_02: So like I think that's a wonderful sweet spot.
22:40
SPEAKER_02: I've worked with so many different competitions at this point in my time of running IDA that a lot of competitions start and they start small and then they kind of just stay right there and they're happy staying right there.
22:53
SPEAKER_02: And then some start small and get really big really fast and they can't keep up with the demand.
22:59
SPEAKER_02: And then there's others who are really happy with that sweet spot of 15 weekends, a season, a few double, double headers here and there.
23:09
SPEAKER_02: Because when you think about the logistics of that, it's double the everything.
23:12
SPEAKER_02: So as you might have your core staff that know how to run the ship, that know what they're doing.
23:17
SPEAKER_02: Now I have to duplicate them.
23:19
SPEAKER_02: And is the experience going to be exactly the same as when I have my core people, you know?
23:24
SPEAKER_02: And that's all always a tough thing to navigate as a growing uh competition organization that I think that you've done very well.
23:31
SPEAKER_02: And again, back to Devin and James, you guys have helped make that possible.
23:36
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
23:36
SPEAKER_01: And in addition to Devin and James, I I have some core crew that are event admins or backstage tabulators that they have just been with us, maybe not the full 20 years, but they they're here with us.
23:49
SPEAKER_01: They stick around and it they start a lot as college kids, but now you know, I I still call them kids.
23:54
SPEAKER_01: These kids are full adults and you know going into new avenues of life.
23:59
SPEAKER_01: But just like James is able to work out, they work out their schedules to spend their weekends with us.
24:05
SPEAKER_01: And I think with the growth, I you know, of course I love the idea of being like, oh, a bigger, but I don't want, I don't, you know, we were so lucky to get Devin as our second host if we're looking for a fourth and a fifth and a backstage manager that you know doesn't have any connection, you know.
24:23
SPEAKER_01: Um, I I like to be hands-on with my people and I think it's a great thing.
24:28
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
24:28
SPEAKER_02: Can what can you guys, Devin or James, do you have anything to add to that or anything to say as far as watching the growth through the years with with Star Talent, how it's evolved from its creation to now, 20 years later or 10 years in, how however long you've been a part of it.
24:43
SPEAKER_02: Um, anything you like to add?
24:44
SPEAKER_04: I mean, I say this every year because you can tell the amount of and I know that this isn't supposed to just be the gin show, but again, it's going back to it starts with her and it's it's seeing year after year the progression of if it's new equipment or if it's new ways of doing things, or just down to communication that we receive as a staff that just makes us feel a little more together and informed throughout the weekend that feels organized in comparison to when I first started to about the midway point to now, it's a completely different um competition.
25:14
SPEAKER_04: You know, it still has the same feelings and the vibe that Star Talent's known for, but I think it's just since been elevated.
25:20
SPEAKER_04: And every season I can't wait until Jen sends out um her massive emails um that says, like, okay, this is what we're doing this year and this is why we're doing it.
25:28
SPEAKER_04: And it's it's always uh to better the or to better the company, to better the experience for the dancers and the families that attend the event.
25:36
SPEAKER_04: So I think that that's been a great progression to be able to sit and watch uh that feels inspiring, but also uh feels like that I'm able to be a part of something that um that continues to grow.
25:47
SPEAKER_04: And now she's gonna have to be forced with this new decision of how big does she want to grow it.
25:51
SPEAKER_04: Uh, because uh, you know, even from last season to this season, we're seeing more sold-out events, we're seeing more um interests in things like nationals, and then we get into that sold-out uh space.
26:02
SPEAKER_04: So it's like, how big do we do we get star talent?
26:05
SPEAKER_04: She's gonna let us know.
26:07
SPEAKER_04: I guess.
26:09
SPEAKER_04: Um, but it but it's been great to see.
26:11
SPEAKER_04: And um, you know, it's a it's a true legacy that's been built.
26:15
SPEAKER_04: Um that you know, we look forward to seeing each other on the weekends.
26:17
SPEAKER_04: And for me, I I love when I'm at an event and I get a dancer to come up to me and um say, Mr.
26:24
SPEAKER_04: Devin, you were there for my very first solo, and then now she's a senior.
26:31
SPEAKER_04: So real.
26:32
SPEAKER_04: So you know, it makes it makes you feel old, but then it also makes you feel, you know, just like, oh, well, this is this is part of my legacy, and and I'm a part, an integral part of um of those dancers' lives.
26:43
SPEAKER_04: And we look forward to seeing them every year.
26:45
SPEAKER_04: Um, some studio owners that um that I'm able to connect with annually, I I remember back in days when I was with another competition.
26:52
SPEAKER_04: And you know, the bigger thing for me uh that happened uh from last year into this year was the addition of new staff.
26:58
SPEAKER_04: And we have a new staff member, Camden.
27:01
SPEAKER_04: And Camden, he he was a dancer with um precision out of based out of Charlotte, and his mom has judged with us, and I've known them since I started uh with the other company back in 2011.
27:15
SPEAKER_04: So if you want to watch watch him grow up, and then now he's working with us as an MC announcer at the events at the age of 22.
27:23
SPEAKER_04: So if you're thinking about the sp the span of age eight to twenty-two, crazy.
27:28
SPEAKER_04: You know, it I think that that's what dance gives us.
27:30
SPEAKER_04: It does.
27:30
SPEAKER_04: It gives us folks seem to think that this is just a huge space, but no, it's smaller than you think.
27:37
SPEAKER_04: And it's in who you know, and it's in who um you you know, watch your mouth, you know, all the things because we all talk and we we know each other and we communicate.
27:45
SPEAKER_04: That's been my favorite part.
27:53
SPEAKER_02: A new dance season is here, and that means competition is coming up quick.
27:58
SPEAKER_02: And we have a great way to help you prep your performance before hitting the stage with IDA's online judges critiques.
28:05
SPEAKER_02: One of our professional pre-screen judges will provide you with a video critique similar to what you receive at competition.
28:12
SPEAKER_02: But we also take our critiques one step further with our best selling feature, the post-critique additional feedback.
28:19
SPEAKER_02: Your IDA judge will go back through your dance and pause the video to elaborate even more on specific corrections and personalized requests.
28:28
SPEAKER_02: And exciting news for choreographers, our popular choreography console critiques are back in action this season.
28:35
SPEAKER_02: Your specialty judge will focus on choreography specific feedback, covering everything from concept and costumes to transitions, style, and musicality.
28:45
SPEAKER_02: Enhance your creative vision and elevate your voice as a choreographer with guidance from a pro on technique, song choice, difficulty level, and so much more.
28:55
SPEAKER_02: Starting at just$35, IDA's online judges critiques are a great tool to utilize at any point in the dance season.
29:03
SPEAKER_02: And we are one of the only online critique services in the industry that offers genre-specific judges and rushed 24-hour delivery turnaround time.
29:12
SPEAKER_02: Are you ready to take your dance to the next level?
29:14
SPEAKER_02: Click the link in our show notes or visit our website at Impact Danceadjudicators.com slash online critique to submit your dance today.
29:34
SPEAKER_01: Wait until you they have graduated, they go open studios and then they're bringing their own students back to you, which is an incredible thing.
29:44
SPEAKER_01: Um, obviously they have faith in the organization to do that, but those years are coming up for you.
29:49
SPEAKER_04: Yeah, I know.
29:50
SPEAKER_04: I I need like a rhinestoned cane to go on the stage.
29:55
SPEAKER_02: Oh my god.
29:56
SPEAKER_04: With the new Star Talent theme song that's new to this year.
29:58
SPEAKER_04: Corny, have you heard it?
30:00
SPEAKER_02: I have not.
30:01
SPEAKER_04: Oh, oh my gosh, a theme song?
30:05
SPEAKER_02: I need to hear it.
30:06
SPEAKER_06: You should use it to kick off the show.
30:09
SPEAKER_02: Oh, okay.
30:10
SPEAKER_02: Maybe send me the file.
30:11
SPEAKER_02: I'll I'll edit it in.
30:13
SPEAKER_04: But if you want like the real vibe, you need to play it for yourself at like 7.58 in the morning.
30:21
SPEAKER_02: I love it.
30:22
SPEAKER_02: You know, it's not like theme songs work because I remember headliners had a theme song when I was growing up and they had some headliners, headliners.
30:32
SPEAKER_02: Like I rem I distinctly remember it.
30:35
SPEAKER_02: Like it, you know, haunts my my memory a little bit from competition days.
30:39
SPEAKER_02: That that will live on for forever.
30:41
SPEAKER_02: People be like, remember the Star Talent theme song?
30:44
SPEAKER_02: Like things like that.
30:45
SPEAKER_02: Even remember the backstage managers, remember the hosts that were so nice that I got to see every single year.
30:51
SPEAKER_02: I remember those people from my days growing up.
30:53
SPEAKER_02: So like it really does matter.
30:55
SPEAKER_02: And like having the right team making that possible for the experience for these dancers is just a game changer.
31:01
SPEAKER_06: I would say I think that Devin and Jen pretty much summed it up perfectly, right?
31:05
SPEAKER_06: The only thing that I could add to it is just knowing from the very first event, I think in an elementary cafeteria, elementary school cafeteria with some poster board and a speaker.
31:15
SPEAKER_06: So I think it's kind of unfair for me to say, yes, uh, you know, like I have seen, you know, some some pretty crazy change right now.
31:22
SPEAKER_06: We have a full stage production.
31:24
SPEAKER_01: Umx with a microphone, and we had one of those, an art easel with a big sign that like homemade sign that said Star Talent.
31:38
SPEAKER_01: Like that is that is facts.
31:40
SPEAKER_02: And James was there for it.
31:42
SPEAKER_02: That's crazy.
31:43
SPEAKER_02: And look where you are now.
31:46
SPEAKER_02: Wow, that's awesome.
31:48
SPEAKER_02: Well, I I know I've had the opportunity to to work not only on the IDA side, but also as a judge.
31:55
SPEAKER_02: So I I oftentimes like to come out and experience it for myself.
31:58
SPEAKER_02: Um, that way I can better guide you on who what kind of judge will be a good fit and things like that.
32:05
SPEAKER_02: But I would love for you to share some of the things that you feel, all of you feel that make Star Talent a bit unique in the industry compared to maybe other competitions.
32:14
SPEAKER_02: And, you know, obviously it's a very saturated industry, and it wasn't as saturated when you started 20 years ago.
32:20
SPEAKER_02: I mean, it was for sure.
32:23
SPEAKER_02: That's what like going back to like Devin's experience with dance moms, you got a taste and a sample of the right when the industry was about to explode because that show kind of made it explode, and then every every other person under the sun is open in a dance competition all of a sudden.
32:40
SPEAKER_02: And now I think we have close to 200 dance competitions just in the United States, which is crazy.
32:44
SPEAKER_02: I think it's more than that.
32:45
SPEAKER_01: I think we're getting closer to 300.
32:47
SPEAKER_01: I think last thing we saw was like 270.
32:50
SPEAKER_02: Oh my gosh.
32:51
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, crazy.
32:52
SPEAKER_02: So, like, what what are some of the things that you feel you bring to Star Talent that might be unique?
32:57
SPEAKER_01: Oh, I think definitely the two gentlemen that are on here with us are certainly one of a kind.
33:02
SPEAKER_01: I've had a rule since day one as uh never a dead stage.
33:06
SPEAKER_01: So whether it's a judge's break, a costume break, something going on.
33:12
SPEAKER_01: Uh, and I don't I go to other competitions where I don't necessarily see that.
33:16
SPEAKER_01: You know, just everything kind of comes to a lull.
33:18
SPEAKER_01: And so, yeah, I think competition is, of course, it's for the dancer, but it's also for the parents who are out there, the brother, the sister, whoever is coming, so that they're not only engaged for the two minutes and 30 seconds that their dancer is on stage because there's a lot of wait time in between, depending on how many routines.
33:36
SPEAKER_01: So having an event that is engaging, and I don't think there's really one thing that makes us stand out because there are so many great competitions out there.
33:45
SPEAKER_01: It's really just a combination of everything and the balance of the organization that goes out beforehand.
33:51
SPEAKER_01: I really try to over-communicate with the studios before they get there.
33:56
SPEAKER_01: Now, that does require you to e read the emails and the attachments, but you know, we send out the information of okay, this is our outline.
34:05
SPEAKER_01: Do you have any questions or issues?
34:07
SPEAKER_01: All right.
34:07
SPEAKER_01: We even we send out the schedule with your times before we send out the final schedule with your act numbers.
34:14
SPEAKER_01: So that when you realize that, oh, this is supposed to be jazz, not tap, we're not going from number 78 to 342.
34:22
SPEAKER_01: You know, and it kind of eliminates all those 0.5 numbers, but again, it requires.
34:27
SPEAKER_01: So I think you know, I I have James and Devin on this show side to make it a standout.
34:34
SPEAKER_01: But I do think that you know, I try to do everything possible with the studio directors or the office managers to make it a streamline process from your registration to when you are leaving the event.
34:46
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
34:47
SPEAKER_02: I can I can vouch for that too, even as someone who directly communicates with you to staff the judges and and those types of things where you're always ahead of the game.
34:57
SPEAKER_02: You communicate promptly, you know exactly what you want.
35:00
SPEAKER_02: You you can give me dates, you can give me deadlines, like everything is easy breezy.
35:05
SPEAKER_02: I'm not having to pull information out of you or last minute scrambling.
35:10
SPEAKER_02: It's never really been that way.
35:11
SPEAKER_02: Obviously, things happen, you know, sometimes every now and then, but in our 10 plus years working together, right?
35:16
SPEAKER_02: I I it's just been such a breeze.
35:18
SPEAKER_02: And that is the exact type of client and customer I also want to work with, too.
35:23
SPEAKER_02: So I can only imagine what type of experience you're you're giving to your customers.
35:28
SPEAKER_01: Hopefully it's positive for everybody.
35:30
SPEAKER_01: And you know, it's funny.
35:31
SPEAKER_01: My home life is entirely different.
35:33
SPEAKER_01: My desk is a mess.
35:35
SPEAKER_01: I leave cabinet doors open.
35:37
SPEAKER_01: Like, so there definitely is a work gen and a life gen.
35:41
SPEAKER_01: And I sometimes I think they're two different people.
35:44
SPEAKER_02: I think we can all probably say that.
35:47
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
35:48
SPEAKER_02: People tell me all the time, you're so organized.
35:50
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, really?
35:51
SPEAKER_02: I do not feel organized at all.
35:53
SPEAKER_02: I feel hot mess expressed.
35:54
SPEAKER_02: I don't know where I am today.
35:57
SPEAKER_02: James or Devin, if you'd like to add anything to the uniqueness at Star Talent that you've been a part of.
36:04
SPEAKER_06: I would say engagement, just like Jen said, right?
36:07
SPEAKER_06: It's engagement from start to finish.
36:09
SPEAKER_06: It's it's not just come get on the stage, do your routine, and leave.
36:12
SPEAKER_06: It's everything in between, right?
36:14
SPEAKER_06: So it's like we welcome them in each morning, right?
36:17
SPEAKER_06: We're they're we're the first people they see.
36:18
SPEAKER_06: I know, especially younger dancers can get very nervous, or if it's a first-time studio, right, that's coming to an event.
36:24
SPEAKER_06: And you know, just having that presence at the very beginning of the day just to say, Welcome, welcome in.
36:29
SPEAKER_06: Oh my gosh, you know, you're gonna do so great today.
36:31
SPEAKER_06: Good luck.
36:31
SPEAKER_06: Right.
36:32
SPEAKER_06: Having that encouragement right at the beginning, I think is is super important.
36:35
SPEAKER_06: And um, I know there are other events that do that as well, but I as a competition kid myself, right?
36:39
SPEAKER_06: I know I've been to some events where you don't you don't see anyone, you know, you you're all you're all wondering where's the dressing room?
36:47
SPEAKER_06: You know, where do I sign in?
36:48
SPEAKER_06: Where you know, where's where is everything at?
36:50
SPEAKER_06: So I think that's something that uh we do very well.
36:52
SPEAKER_04: Um and the only thing I would add to that is um part of what makes it so unique is it's the people.
36:57
SPEAKER_04: It's not um it which kind of goes in with what James is saying.
37:01
SPEAKER_04: Um, it's not just the people that work with us, but it's the people that come to the door, it's the people in the audience.
37:05
SPEAKER_04: And so when you come to Star Talent, you're not just number two.
37:08
SPEAKER_04: Hi, sassy.
37:09
SPEAKER_04: You know, you're not you're not number two.
37:10
SPEAKER_04: We we take time to give a little more individualized attention.
37:14
SPEAKER_04: Sometimes we appropriately so cut up backstage just to, you know, especially if you're in that kind of lull of the day.
37:20
SPEAKER_04: But then even then when we get to the audience and James and I are doing something with the audience or being silly, you know, it just it's that atmosphere, we're already in a positive space.
37:28
SPEAKER_04: I feel like, you know, we're hearing applause, we're hearing great music, we're hearing um, you know, pictures are being taken.
37:34
SPEAKER_04: So it does, it becomes addictive, you know, when when you go to a Star Town event, I think it's addictive.
37:39
SPEAKER_04: We're exhausted at the end of it, but we all uh appreciate the feeling that we get when we're there.
37:45
SPEAKER_04: And I think that that's the biggest takeaway is that your dancer is not just a number.
37:50
SPEAKER_04: You know, we we enjoy watching them grow up and we mean it.
37:52
SPEAKER_04: I look forward to nationals every year when uh we get to see see those kids because some studios they they do our nationals every other year.
37:59
SPEAKER_04: And so um that's really the week that we get to see them uh peek at uh doing things like the um uh the star select and and being able to come up to us to do interviews and there's a whole process that you know you can find out online of how our nationals work.
38:13
SPEAKER_04: But that's that's what I love the most.
38:14
SPEAKER_04: And I think that's what sets us apart from other competitors.
38:18
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I completely agree.
38:20
SPEAKER_02: And another thing that I think is, you know, when we talk about dance competitions, most of them are pretty much the same.
38:28
SPEAKER_02: The same overall vibe experience as far as you're gonna come, you're gonna dance, you get a trophy, you get your adjudication, you find out who's the winner, there's levels, there's different types of names for adjudications, there's different genres.
38:43
SPEAKER_02: You know, like the overall expectation is generally the same.
38:47
SPEAKER_02: And it's just navigating like which event you're at and what award is called what, and and some of the rules of the event.
38:54
SPEAKER_02: And speaking of rules, I feel like that's a hot topic in the biz right now is in following the rules and also enforcing the rules from competitions.
39:04
SPEAKER_02: And I have to say, from the jump, Jen is a rule follower.
39:09
SPEAKER_02: And I I've been a part of many conversations with her through the years about different things that happen at events.
39:15
SPEAKER_02: And it's like, oh, the judges thought this.
39:17
SPEAKER_02: What do you think?
39:17
SPEAKER_02: What do we have to do?
39:18
SPEAKER_02: She always defends her judging panel, her staff.
39:23
SPEAKER_02: And that also is another thing that is sometimes unfortunately unheard of in our industry, where I've definitely felt like that I was getting thrown under the bus many times by other organizations that I've worked for where I didn't feel supported by them.
39:39
SPEAKER_02: And I think that that's something that makes people want to keep coming back to work for you, especially from what the feedback I get from judges who love Star Talent because they feel respected.
39:48
SPEAKER_02: They feel like their voice matters and um that they know that you have their back on any situation.
39:55
SPEAKER_02: But even with the bumping rule, which I know that probably is a hot thing, I don't know if you want to talk about it, but I know I know y'all bump.
40:03
SPEAKER_01: Right.
40:04
SPEAKER_01: And everything that happens on that stage as far as performances is at the discretion of the judges.
40:10
SPEAKER_01: We did they were they're listed out beforehand.
40:13
SPEAKER_01: If you want to the bumping does need to be unanimous, but if it is unanimous with them, then it does get bumped.
40:20
SPEAKER_01: There have been some circumstances where when we, and this is where James and Devin become event directors because they get to approach the studios as well.
40:29
SPEAKER_01: We'll go and watch the video so because we're not gonna take any more time from the judges, so that then we can go back and say, okay, it was the this and this and the this that the and the when you get the judges' critiques, you'll obviously learn more, but this is the why.
40:44
SPEAKER_01: It it's hard to because uh three sets of judges are gonna have different opinions.
40:51
SPEAKER_01: What is what for each level?
40:54
SPEAKER_01: We had an ex unfortunately it was a negative experience this year where a studio did bump their dancers up, but you know, the judges didn't agree that they but maybe for their their studio that was the right choice, but then they were upset because they moved them up.
41:10
SPEAKER_01: But I also, you know, I can't control that, and that's why I leave it to those three.
41:16
SPEAKER_01: We're not gonna interfere with it at all.
41:18
SPEAKER_01: Their decisions are their decisions.
41:19
SPEAKER_01: If we see a discrepancy in score scoring, we'll certainly call and ask them about it to make sure it's not a missed key.
41:26
SPEAKER_01: But as long as they have verbally justified what they're taking off of, then we do it if they um we stick to it.
41:34
SPEAKER_01: If they want to bump a routine, we stick to it.
41:37
SPEAKER_01: And you know, um, unfortunately, James got belittled by a studio last year, and I still feel terrible for that, but that's where he becomes the event director, and it was to know who was it?
41:51
SPEAKER_06: We can't we we we can't say that you know it is, it is it it is it's hard, it is hard, right?
41:58
SPEAKER_06: And I know that at the end of the day, even the anger, though misplaced, is is their trying to do the best for their kids.
42:04
SPEAKER_06: I always like to see the best in in everyone, their actions and and how they react to things, right?
42:09
SPEAKER_06: So, you know, it was uh it was hard.
42:11
SPEAKER_06: But yeah, I think that it says a lot about Jen and her more morality, her morals to say I this may be how you feel, but this is what our judges said.
42:22
SPEAKER_06: This is we we reviewed it, our judges reviewed it, we are in lockstep alignment, and we are going to stand by that.
42:28
SPEAKER_06: And I we are we hate that you feel the way that you feel, but if we do this, that would be unfair to everyone else.
42:36
SPEAKER_06: And it's about fairness.
42:38
SPEAKER_06: At the end of the day it's about fairness, and sometimes, you know, does the the general audience, you know, might any dance moms that are listening or or teachers or directors, you know, you generally don't see this behind the scenes.
42:47
SPEAKER_06: There are some pretty hard conversations that happen sometimes, and it's not always fun, right?
42:51
SPEAKER_06: But um but at the end of the day, fairness isn't always going to be fun.
42:55
SPEAKER_01: So and it's a positive thing, you know.
42:58
SPEAKER_01: Um we call it a judge's upgrade, you know, and try to make, you know, a positive thing about it.
43:05
SPEAKER_01: Unfortunately, people don't see it that way.
43:07
SPEAKER_01: I guess it's you know, you're there to be judged, you got judged, and this is what they thought.
43:12
SPEAKER_02: So yeah, it's it's a very sticky convo that is uh, you know, exploding in the industry at the moment and has been for many years.
43:22
SPEAKER_02: But I applaud you for no like having the integrity to stay strong and be firm in your decisions as a business owner because I think that that's going to ultimately allow you to succeed in the long run.
43:36
SPEAKER_02: People are seeking those types of events.
43:38
SPEAKER_02: They don't want to only go to the sugar coated events that know that they're gonna get whatever they want.
43:44
SPEAKER_02: And maybe that means that not every customer is the right fit for your event and that's okay.
43:50
SPEAKER_02: You know, like it is a learning experience, and we always continue to learn as business owners and individuals as we progress through this uh beautiful competition dance.
44:00
SPEAKER_02: Space, but I I just wanted to throw that in there because I feel like it's a hot topic that people are talking about, like which competitions actually enforce their rules.
44:09
SPEAKER_02: And I'm like, I know one at least one of them, and that's at Star Talent Productions for sure.
44:15
SPEAKER_01: It also becomes on the flip side where like again, the three judges are the opinions or you know what their thoughts will get people in the audience, whether it's mama or a teacher who they think something needed to be bumped, but the judges did it was not, you know, the judges didn't think so.
44:32
SPEAKER_01: So then it's uh you're not enforcing.
44:35
SPEAKER_01: We are enforcing when it's the opinion of the judges, those three people sitting there.
44:41
SPEAKER_01: So that becomes, you know, kind of a hard thing too when it's a hundred people's different opinions, not just the three, but um, you know, of course, everybody's concerns matter.
44:51
SPEAKER_01: And and talk to me, I I want to hear them.
44:54
SPEAKER_01: But you know, when it comes down to it, we we leave it to our judges and aren't mostly IDA judges.
45:01
SPEAKER_01: And that's another great benefit of working with Courtney of IDA, is you are a layer of support for me.
45:08
SPEAKER_01: So I know I several times, hey, I got this email, I haven't or I have replied and I'm copying you on it.
45:14
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I want you to be in the know.
45:16
SPEAKER_01: I won't if it escalates further, there's times that you have also had to come in to support the standing of your judges.
45:23
SPEAKER_01: And I just think it's such a great layer of support on the administrative side.
45:28
SPEAKER_01: So thank you.
45:28
SPEAKER_01: Here's your flowers.
45:30
SPEAKER_02: Oh thanks for the flowers.
45:33
SPEAKER_02: Well, we all love what we do, and we all are here to like work collectively to make the experience in the industry better for everyone involved.
45:42
SPEAKER_02: So I appreciate my flowers.
45:45
SPEAKER_02: Thank you.
45:47
SPEAKER_02: And let's, we're nearing the end of our combo.
45:51
SPEAKER_02: And I know, James, you have to get back to many meetings today that you've carved out in your day to sit here with us and chit-chat.
45:59
SPEAKER_02: But what advice would you give to any studio owners who are hearing this, listening, and thinking, oh wow, Star Talent sounds like a great event.
46:07
SPEAKER_02: I'm down in the southern regions.
46:09
SPEAKER_02: I would love to check them out, or I've heard about them, but I haven't explored them yet.
46:14
SPEAKER_02: So, what advice would you give to any studio owners, especially with the timing of when this is coming out?
46:19
SPEAKER_02: Because people are already planning their schedules for next season already.
46:22
SPEAKER_02: So I'd love to hear what you'd share with studios out there if they're interested in coming and how to make that happen for them.
46:31
SPEAKER_01: Something new, you give something new a chance.
46:33
SPEAKER_01: Um or at least get in touch with me first.
46:36
SPEAKER_01: You know, ask me the questions that you have, and you know, maybe we can spark some interest.
46:41
SPEAKER_01: We can talk about how of course not every schedule does is the same, but we try to follow a format.
46:46
SPEAKER_01: But just address me with your concerns, um, and we'll see if we're the right fit.
46:51
SPEAKER_01: We certainly hope so.
46:52
SPEAKER_01: You know, you have two great show hosts, you're gonna get one of the two there.
46:56
SPEAKER_01: So it's gonna be a good engaging time.
46:58
SPEAKER_01: And as far as again, uh the flow of things, um, stay in communication, read the emails, we'll have you all set up where to go before you even get there.
47:07
SPEAKER_01: And I I would love for anybody interested to reach out or just come on and give us a try.
47:12
SPEAKER_03: Yay!
47:13
SPEAKER_02: That's great.
47:14
SPEAKER_02: And uh, Devin and James, I would love for you guys to reflect back on some of your favorite memories at Star Talent if you'd like to share any with the world.
47:25
SPEAKER_02: Um, anything that you'll always remember, anything like connecting with any types of students or no, you do?
47:32
SPEAKER_02: You already know.
47:32
SPEAKER_04: I already know.
47:33
SPEAKER_04: I love it.
47:34
SPEAKER_04: Tell us go ahead.
47:35
SPEAKER_04: Do you know what it's gonna be?
47:36
SPEAKER_04: I think so.
47:37
SPEAKER_04: I think so.
47:38
SPEAKER_06: But go ahead.
47:38
SPEAKER_04: Well, as I have so many, but the one that I'm specifically thinking about that I think that my sister is also thinking about is Nationals, my 10th anniversary.
47:46
SPEAKER_04: Was that what you were thinking about?
47:47
SPEAKER_04: Yes, yes.
47:48
SPEAKER_04: Oh, I'm gonna cry.
47:50
SPEAKER_04: No, please do.
47:51
SPEAKER_04: But um, so for me, uh, you know, it was totally surprised.
47:55
SPEAKER_04: I could kind of feel like people were scheming in the background, but uh being able to be on stage and be recognized by the staff and by Jin, because again, Jin's already mentioned early in the podcast, if you were listening, that she likes to hide and she likes to stay out of sight.
48:09
SPEAKER_04: But the fact that she came out and she had this lovely handwritten chat GPT note that she read out loud to everyone.
48:17
SPEAKER_04: And I just I remember feeling just so special and so recognized, but it felt like a huge milestone of being able to know that that in such a small way I made such a big impact on people.
48:28
SPEAKER_04: And I think that that's when I can strip away from the side with theater and with dance.
48:32
SPEAKER_04: I think that I'm just out here in these streets trying to be the best person I can be.
48:36
SPEAKER_04: And most days.
48:38
SPEAKER_04: And, you know, to be able to have that memory with Star Talent and that that that meant the world.
48:45
SPEAKER_04: But I think that the only other standout opportunity that I think about often is again the very first time that that happened to me where, you know, Mr.
48:53
SPEAKER_04: Devin, you were there for my first solo.
48:55
SPEAKER_04: I think that it put everything into perspective.
48:57
SPEAKER_04: It was also, I think, a Sunday and it was a long weekend, so we retired.
49:01
SPEAKER_04: James and I were wearing dress clothes 13, 14 hours a day.
49:04
SPEAKER_04: So we're but you know, and we don't get to clock in friends until like you you think it's when the show starts.
49:10
SPEAKER_04: No.
49:10
SPEAKER_04: We check in in the uh at the hotel lobby.
49:12
SPEAKER_04: You know, we can't walk down and be seen getting a waffle uh without being mauled and you know, questions and everything.
49:19
SPEAKER_04: So we have to we have to turn that on and we have to represent Jen and the organization.
49:23
SPEAKER_04: Um so just knowing that that we're we're remembered, and I think that also speaks to the question you just asked of why should you trust our talent.
49:31
SPEAKER_04: I think it's because you're gonna have a great time.
49:33
SPEAKER_04: I think that we're gonna be your new favorite dance competition because we work hard at making sure that you have a great time.
49:38
SPEAKER_04: And Jen literally does all of the work before we even get there.
49:42
SPEAKER_04: And so, you know, she's not just that competition owner.
49:46
SPEAKER_04: She's the she's her own administrative assistant, she's her own janitor, she's she's unpacking trophies and counting t-shirts.
49:52
SPEAKER_04: And while she does have help that that come in throughout the week, um, you know, it does rest to her.
49:57
SPEAKER_04: So again, it's a great organization ran by a wonderful person and a lovely staff.
50:04
SPEAKER_04: And we get to know Courtney Ortiz.
50:07
SPEAKER_04: Wait, and the kids taught me clock it this year.
50:09
SPEAKER_04: Am I doing it right?
50:11
SPEAKER_04: Clock it.
50:11
SPEAKER_04: Yes, yes, clock it, clock it, yes.
50:13
SPEAKER_04: Yeah.
50:14
SPEAKER_02: I I still don't know.
50:15
SPEAKER_02: I see them do it, but maybe they're Courtney I don't know.
50:17
SPEAKER_06: I don't know.
50:18
SPEAKER_02: Um you have a teenager, Jen.
50:22
SPEAKER_01: Who if I do when I leave this room, I'm gonna go out there and do that, and she'll probably run for me if we're frontier.
50:27
SPEAKER_02: What does it mean?
50:29
SPEAKER_02: It's like, yes, like okay, it's like yes, okay, give your like snaps, like give me a few.
50:36
SPEAKER_05: I don't know.
50:36
SPEAKER_02: And also, like now seeing this and doing that, do y'all have a TikTok for Star Talent?
50:42
SPEAKER_02: Because you two need to be TikTok famous via Star Talent.
50:47
SPEAKER_04: We we have at StarTalent James and at StarTalent Devin.
50:50
SPEAKER_02: Perfect.
50:51
SPEAKER_06: Yeah, so keep it going, followent James at Star Talent Devon.
50:55
SPEAKER_06: We're on Instagram, check us out on Instagram.
50:57
SPEAKER_06: I think we also have a Star Talent TikTok that we're trying to get going, but yeah, we'll there's one that gets used sporadically, but you know what?
51:04
SPEAKER_01: You guys can be in charge of it.
51:06
SPEAKER_06: Absolutely.
51:07
SPEAKER_02: Put that other hat on, and you're a content creator.
51:10
SPEAKER_06: When we get TikTok up and going, we'll share it across our Instagram channels.
51:14
SPEAKER_06: So make sure you're following to get all the deeds.
51:18
SPEAKER_02: Perfect.
51:19
SPEAKER_06: And I was gonna echo Devin.
51:20
SPEAKER_06: I don't have anything more to say.
51:21
SPEAKER_06: I think Devin, that is the perfect sign-off.
51:23
SPEAKER_06: You you just encapsulate everything perfectly.
51:25
SPEAKER_06: So we would leave with that.
51:26
SPEAKER_06: You can actually cut this whole last part I just said out.
51:29
unknown: No.
51:30
SPEAKER_02: No, I love how I'm reaching.
51:33
SPEAKER_06: I'm reaching for you, James.
51:37
SPEAKER_06: We're here.
51:38
SPEAKER_06: Oh, we we love our IDA family and we love our Star Talent family.
51:43
SPEAKER_06: Thank you, Courtney and Jen, for everything you bring to the table in your respective industries.
51:46
SPEAKER_06: You are truly rock stars and pioneers.
51:49
SPEAKER_06: So we we appreciate it.
51:50
SPEAKER_06: Here are your flowers.
51:53
SPEAKER_02: Pocket.
51:54
SPEAKER_02: Well, I have one final question to round this out for Jen and to lead us out.
52:00
SPEAKER_02: And first off, Jen, I'm just gonna let you know you did fabulous on the podcast.
52:06
SPEAKER_02: Podcast Queen.
52:07
SPEAKER_02: We're gonna have to have you back for more.
52:09
SPEAKER_02: Don't be nervous.
52:10
SPEAKER_02: It's just a fun little chit-chat in the middle of the afternoon that millions of people will listen to.
52:16
SPEAKER_02: No, just kidding.
52:17
SPEAKER_02: So 20 years, you you're here.
52:20
SPEAKER_02: Did you think you'd make it to 20 years when you started in 2007?
52:24
SPEAKER_02: Question number one.
52:25
SPEAKER_01: Because it wasn't supposed to be this.
52:27
SPEAKER_01: You know, it was supposed to be just the something on the side.
52:30
SPEAKER_01: Um, no, but I you know, I planned it that way, but that's just there was no big elaborate plan.
52:36
SPEAKER_01: There was no in 20 years I want to be here.
52:39
SPEAKER_01: It's like I think I want to have one of these, and we started with two.
52:43
SPEAKER_01: Yeah, um, I mean, it it is I guess who I am.
52:47
SPEAKER_01: I mean, I started this in my mid-20s.
52:50
SPEAKER_01: So I grew up with this, you know, not in this, but this has been my life for 20 years, and I'm appreciative, I'm thankful.
52:59
SPEAKER_01: Uh yeah, I'm aware of how lucky I have been with a lot of the things.
53:04
SPEAKER_01: Or just appreciation of what's around me.
53:07
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, absolutely.
53:08
SPEAKER_02: Well, where final question, and this will this is our leado where do you see the future of Star Talent?
53:15
SPEAKER_02: What do you have uh lined up that you can share about for next season or even five years down the road?
53:23
SPEAKER_02: Or do you hope to be doing this for forever and having Devin and James old men on stage?
53:29
SPEAKER_01: Of course, of course.
53:31
SPEAKER_01: And by that time, we'll open up the super senior category for you know 73 and up.
53:38
SPEAKER_01: Yes.
53:38
SPEAKER_01: You know, just looking ahead, it's not so much about adding more venues or more dates, just wanting to continue could continue elevating what we have right now, just to make sure the experience doesn't get stale, that we continue to offer excitement.
53:55
SPEAKER_01: And you know, if it means refining the process, strengthening our team.
53:59
SPEAKER_01: It should you know be a great experience in another 20 years.
54:04
SPEAKER_01: Hopefully, again, we'll have those studios who there are dancers today that become the studio owners and bring their students, and we'll be on our third generation of that.
54:12
SPEAKER_01: And that would just be the wow.
54:14
SPEAKER_01: So I just want to continue to grow in a way that protects the experience and people's expectations from us.
54:23
SPEAKER_02: We hope you enjoyed our latest IBA Competition Spotlight episode featuring IEA affiliated competition Star Talent Productions.
54:32
SPEAKER_02: Special shout out to the owner of Star Talent Gen and their fabulous hosts, James and Devin, for joining us as guests on this episode.
54:42
SPEAKER_02: Don't forget to follow Star Talent on social media.
54:45
SPEAKER_02: You can find them at StarTalent Dance and Devin at StarTalent Devin and James at StarTalentJames.
54:55
SPEAKER_00: Don't forget to follow Making the Impact on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, and pretty much everywhere you listen to podcasts.
55:02
SPEAKER_00: And if you want more exclusive episodes, support our podcast by joining our Platinum Premium membership for only$5 a month.
55:08
SPEAKER_00: Subscribers receive free Making the Impact stickers, shout outs live on the air, ad-free listening, and exclusive access to our QA episodes for members only.
55:16
SPEAKER_00: Join now at Impact Dance Adjudicators.com/slash Platinum Premium or click the link in our show notes.
55:23
SPEAKER_02: Be sure to check out IDA affiliated competition Star Talent.
55:27
SPEAKER_02: Star Talent is excited to celebrate its 20th season in 2026.
55:32
SPEAKER_02: They are delighted to continue their collaboration with Impact Dance Adjudicators, featuring IDA judges on all judging panels.
55:39
SPEAKER_02: Star Talent holds events in West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, with their national final set to be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
55:50
SPEAKER_02: Their competition was designed to foster a positive dance environment for both recreational and competitive dancers.
55:56
SPEAKER_02: Their goal is to create an atmosphere that is enjoyable, organized, and fair for dancers, teachers, and parents alike.
56:03
SPEAKER_02: StarTalent emphasizes that competition is about striving to become the best dancer you can be, both in performance and attitude.
56:10
SPEAKER_02: Awards are given based on categories and divisions with high score awards categorized by three levels.
56:16
SPEAKER_02: Additionally, Star Talent provides scholarship and title opportunities.
56:20
SPEAKER_02: For more information about Star Talent and to register for an upcoming event, visit their website at StarTalent Productions.com or check out their Facebook and Instagram.
56:30
SPEAKER_00: Coming up soon on Making the Impact, look forward to an episode devoted to point, a throwback episode all about ballet, and a new episode featuring former competitive dancers who are now dance parents.
56:41
SPEAKER_02: Stay tuned for more in the upcoming weeks.
56:44
SPEAKER_02: We'll see you then.