Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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.  Topic...

Send us Fan Mail 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 per...

Send us Fan Mail 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 op...

Send us Fan Mail 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 th...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kimberly Soel and Kevin Grant Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 172 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educators and IDA judges Kimberly Soel and Kevin Grant join us for a discussion about dance parents - specifically, the ones who seem to live vicariously through their dancer.  Topics Include:  Discussions of the possible caus...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - James Murphy and Maria Pomerleau Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 171 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we go deep into one of the most confusing parts of the competitive dance world - awards ceremonies! IDA judge and dance educator Maria Pomerleau and Star Talent Productions host and emcee James Murphy join us for this informative...

Send us Fan Mail Guests: Rebecca Rosenberg and Emily Rosenberg Hosted by Courtney Ortiz  On this week's episode of Making the Impact, Courtney chats with Rebecca and Emily Rosenberg, co-owners of Steps Dance Center in Naperville, Illinois. You may recognize Steps Dance Center from their 5 Industry Dance Awards!  Topics include: What makes their studio unique How they both got into studio owne...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Jessica Olinik and Amy Tully Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 169 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two IDA judges who also wear other hats in the dance world to chat about what goes on during a day of dance competition, from dance parent to dance studio owner to dance judge! Topics Include:  Advice for dance paren...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Colin Bradbury and Sean Aaron Carmon Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 168 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're bringing in two accomplished male dancers to discuss their experiences as boys who danced growing up, and how those experiences shaped their lives and career paths.  Topics Include:  How first influences in the stu...

Send us Fan Mail Guest: Tommy Scrivens Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz Special BONUS EPISODE! A Platinum Premium Exclusive! To end out the 2023 year strong we are bringing back our popular Q&A with Courtney LIVE episodes! Our Q&A episodes now record monthly for Platinum Premium subscribers only. Dive in to a chat about all things competitive dance with Making the Impact host Courtney Ortiz and...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - IDA Judges and Podcast Fans! Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 166 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from YOU, our listeners, as well as special guest IDA judges about the ridiculous expectations of the competitive dance world!  Topics Include:  The tiny costumes  Full makeup on 5 years olds  The time and money invested in d...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Chase Haley Bowden and Julie Swartz Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 165 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, duo/trios take over! The dance competition world can feel solo-heavy sometimes, so we are focusing on the small but mighty duo/trio category with guests Chase Haley Bowden and Julie Swartz. Topics Include:  Best practices for...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Jamie Harris and Rebecca Tyler Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 164 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educator Jamie Harris and studio owner Rebecca Tyler join us for an informative discussion on the best continuing education opportunities for dance teachers! Topics Include:  Favorite programs and courses  Benefits of continu...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Amanda Carter and Sarah Matteson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 163 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, studio owner Amanda Carter and dance educator, adjudicator, and dance mom Sarah Matteson join us to discuss the pros, cons, and everything in between when it comes to dance competitions and dance conventions! Topics Include: Desc...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Kalie-Ann Nassoura Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Happy Thanksgiving! In Episode 162 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we tackle a topic that has been requested for years - pay rates in the professional dance world! From gigs to long contracts, commercial work to Broadway, professional dancers Ashley Marinelli and Kalie...

Send us Fan Mail Guest: Nicole Wells Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Our first international studio spotlight features Dance Force Australia, owned and directed by Nicole Wells! Dance Force's programming includes several unique offerings for students who want to train at a pre-professional level, as well as a full recreational program for those who just want to have fun! Follow D...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Nicole Perry and Keanu Uchida Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 160 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, intimacy director and dance educator Nicole Perry and NEAMA co-founder and advocate for awareness of sexual abuse in the dance industry, Keanu Uchida, sit down for a candid conversation about improper behavior, unfair power dynamics...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Brittany Nicholas and Miranda Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 159 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two incredible former competitive dancers turned professional dancers join us to talk about their experiences as swings and understudies, and how their time in the competition world helped prepare them for these unique roles o...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kelsey Nelson and Terrill Mitchell Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 158 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the King and Queen of across the floor join us for a conversation on this fun and necessary topic! Kelsey Nelson and Terrill Mitchell are known for their challenging and beneficial across the floor progressions, and they are sh...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Chip Abbott and Summer Renner Disher Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 157 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our spectacular guests, studio owner Summer Renner Disher and dance educator and choreographer Chip Abbott school us on the importance of movement quality for competitive dancers, and give tips on teaching techniques for all...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Jody Reynard and Andrea Tracy Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 156 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two fantastic dance educators and veteran competition judges, Jody Reynard and Andrea Tracy, to share our thoughts on what makes up a winning routine at competition! Topics Include:  Why choreography plays so heavil...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Kelin Barr and Mary Marrone Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 155 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, guests Kelin Barr, dance educator in New York, and Mary Marrone, IDA judge and studio owner in Connecticut, join us to outline the benefits of going back to the basics in every style of dance - as well as in every level of dance!  Top...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Jamie Howes and James Manning Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 154 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we dive into the world of performing arts high schools with two wonderful guests who are the head of the dance department at their schools to give us the inside scoop on what life is like in an academic setting that's devoted t...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Amy Gibson and Morriss Partee Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 153 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judge and dance educator Amy Gibson, and Morriss Partee, owner of Squirrel Trench Audio, to give you the scoop on why you need to edit your music for  the competitive dance stage! Topics Include:  Tips and trick...