Shows / Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
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…
Episodes
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Scary Skills We See On Stage at Competition
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Connor Britt-Tripp and Kamali Hill Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 278 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Spotlight Feature - 8Counts
Send us Fan Mail Guests: Josh Ellis and Neo Lynch Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Today on Making the Impact, we’re bringing back our Spotlight…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Trends and Truths on Strength and Conditioning For Dancers
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Amber Tacy and Dr. Robert Tsai Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 276 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S6 Ep 203 - How To Stand Out at Auditions
Send us Fan Mail Guest - DJ Smart Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Today's throwback episode brings us back to Season 6, with guest DJ Smart, where…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
A Crash Course on College Dance Program Auditions
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Lauren Gaul and Ashley Thorndike Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 274 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S2 Ep 45 - A Look At Competitive Dance Through the Years
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Clarice Ordaz and Amber Nadelkov Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor We are bringing back our Throwback episodes in Season 8…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
The Dance Teachers Who Impacted Us featuring Lesley’s Teachers
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kristen Cochran and Dawn Parker Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 272 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
LIVE! From Dance Teacher Web Vegas 2026
Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 271 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are live…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Studio Spotlight - Stacey's Studio of Dance Education
Send us Fan Mail Guests: Stacey Dimberio and Brooke MacIver Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor The winner of the Making the Impact Award fan favorite…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Welcome to Season 8!
Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Welcome to Season 8 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Courtney and Lesley have…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Summer Bonus Episode! - Live from The Artistry Tour Nationals 2026
Send us Fan Mail IDA Judges - Brittany Nicholas, Kyle Rostan, Sally Cofield, Marie Choate Hosted By - Holly Shipley Produced By: Making the Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Judging Horror Stories - Why Treatment On Events Needs an Industry-Wide Overhaul! - Part 2
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Robb Gibbs, Brittni Johnson, and Anonymous Submissions Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor To close out Season 7 of Making…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Season 7 Wrap Up!
Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor That's a wrap on Season 7 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Thank you to all…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Judging Horror Stories - Why Treatment On Events Needs an Industry-Wide Overhaul! - Part 1
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Robb Gibbs, Brittni Johnson, and Anonymous Submissions Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor To close out Season 7 of Making…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! - S3 EP 96 – How to NOT be a Stage Mom!
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Summer Aiello & Shannon Thomas Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Our final throwback episode is one for the dance moms out…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Raising the New Generation - Former Dancers Who Are Now Competitive Dance Parents
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Lynne McNelis and Jennifer Lobaito Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 267 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! - S1 EP 21 – Beyond the Barre - Why Ballet Matters in Competitive Dance
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Carrie Euker, Holly Gannett Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Today's throwback episode takes us back to Making The Impact…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
All About Pointe For Training Dancers
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kathryn Morgan and Tommie Lin Kesten Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 265 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
IDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions
Send us Fan Mail Guests: Jennifer Armstrong, Devin Pendleton and James Murphy Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz Today's IDA Competition Spotlight episode features Star…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Bringing Inclusivity and Diversity to Competitive Dance
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Ty Williams, Tonysha McIntosh, Haley Everett Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 263 of Making The Impact - A…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! - S3 EP 77 - The Open Category - Expectations from Your Judges
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Amy Maze Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Today's throwback episode was one of our most popular…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
A Day in the Life of a Competition Staff Member
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Haley Crocombe and Cat Milone Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 261 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! - S4 EP 122 – The World of College Dance Teams - What You Need to Know
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Melissa McGhee and Carsen Rowe Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Our next throwback episode of Making the Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
What To Expect When Transitioning From Studio Dance to Dance Team
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Erin Alvarado and Kristin Daniel Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 259 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
IDA Competition Spotlight - Elevation on Tour
Send us Fan Mail Guests: Brie Peña & Kristina Cross Hosted by Courtney Ortiz IDA affiliated-competition Elevation on Tour leads with integrity and innovation…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Keeping the Artistry in Competitive Dance - Creating Choreography That Stands Out
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Brittany Sprung and Giovanni Allen Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 257 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! - S5 EP 176 – Mini Dancers Who Peak Too Early
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kate Biernat and Krysten Danielle Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Our next throwback episode of Making The Impact - A…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
The Transition From Junior to Teen - Pivotal Times in a Dancer's Training
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Carlos de Barros and Krystal Madan Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 255 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S4 EP 111 - Adding the Shock Value - A Discussion on Triggering and Sensitive Themes
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Amanda Nicole DiTullio and Daniel Longo Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Our next throwback episode takes us back to…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
What Dance Competition Judges Want To See On Stage This Season
Send us Fan Mail Guests - IDA Judges Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 253 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Spotlight Feature - International Competitive Dancer Registry
Send us Fan Mail Guests: Jamie Hodgins and Rebecca Brettingham-Filice Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor The International Competitive Dancer Registry…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Partnering and Lifts - Tips and Tricks from the Pros
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Jonathan & Oksana Platero Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 251 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S4 EP 120 - Stage and Costume Malfunctions - What To Do During Onstage Mishaps
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Halle Mastroberardino and Donna Michelle Vaughn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Our throwback episode of Making The…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
A Day in the Life of a Dancer on Tour
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Brion Marquis Watson and Cassidy Noblett Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 249 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
The 2025 A.C.E Awards Winners - Sponsored by DanceOne
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Tommy Tibball, Madi Hicks, Jason Williams, and Courtney Barclay Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 248 of Making…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Q&A with Courtney Live 2025 - Platinum Premium Exclusive
Send us Fan Mail Guest: Vikas Arun Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz Platinum Premium Exclusive! To end out the 2025 year strong we are bringing back our popular Q&A…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S5 EP 157 - Mastering Movement Quality in Dance
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Chip Abbott and Summer Renner Disher Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Today's throwback episode brings back an important…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Why Lyrical Dance Should Be a Priority in Your Weekly Training
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Jeremy Duvall and Lindsey Klein Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 245 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S3 EP 84 - Parent Etiquette - From Studio to Stage
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Emily Branigan and Hillary Zbyszinski Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor This throwback episode takes us back to season 3…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Fundraising For Competitive Dance
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Christine Brocious and Megan Woods Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 243 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
IDA Competition Spotlight - Uproar Dance Competition
Send us Fan Mail Guests: Ryland Early and Danielle Beeman Hosted by Courtney Ortiz Uproar Dance Competition might be newer to the scene, but they have years of…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
A Day in the Life of a Broadway Performer
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Karli Dinardo and Tatiana Nuñez Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 241 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S5 EP 175 - Perfecting the Pirouette - Tips from the Pros
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Drew Burgess and Lisa Curatolo Turpin Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Today's throwback episode brings us back to 2024…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
A Crash Course on Leaps and Jumps
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Michelle Leagans and Jessica Olinik Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz In Episode 239 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S4 EP 128 - Battling Stage Fright as a Performer
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Caleb Dicke and Glenn Kelich Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor This throwback episode of Making the Impact takes us back…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
The Power of Performance Quality
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Rayne Thiemann and Brionna Trilling Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 237 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
IDA Competition Spotlight - DECAdance Competition
Send us Fan Mail Guest: Samantha O'Neil Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz DECAdance Competition provides a totally unique competition and “un”convention experience…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
What It Takes To Become a Dance Convention Assistant
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kiyah Rush, Megan Friedman, Brandi George Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 235 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Throwback! S2 EP 62 - Eye on the Prize - How to Develop a Competitive Mindset
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Tracey Boon and Rachel Perlman Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor This season on Making The Impact - A Dance Competition…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
All About Solos - How Many Are Too Many?
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Lex Dorohoy and Amy Tully Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 233 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Live from Dance Teacher Web Conference 2025 in Las Vegas!
Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 232 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley hosted a…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Studio Spotlight - Dance Fusion Performing Arts Studio
Send us Fan Mail Guests - James Du Chateau and Lizzy Steirer Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor The winner of the Making the Impact Award fan…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Welcome to Season 7!
Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Welcome to season 7 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Courtney and Lesley kick…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Summer Bonus Episode! LIVE from Streetz Dance Convention's Nationals 2025!
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Maddie Marcadis & Stephani Sosa Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz In our special summer bonus episode of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Season 6 Wrap Up!
Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Season 6 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is a wrap! We have had such a…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
The 2025 Competition Season - Takeaways From Your Judges
Send us Fan Mail Guests - IDA Judges Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 230 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we invited…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Genre Spotlight - Contemporary Dance
Send us Fan Mail Guest: Peter Chu Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Contemporary dance is a genre that can be hard to define, but what everyone can…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
A Day in the Life of a Dance Studio Owner
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Gregory Kanelos and Jenny Hogan Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 228 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
The Perfectionist Mindset in Dance
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kasie Auten and Brittni Johnson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 227 of Making The Impact - A Dance…
- Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Dance Studio Red Flags - Listeners Weigh In
Send us Fan Mail Guests - Joey Ortolani and listener submissions Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 226 of Making The Impact - A Dance…