Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Guest: Mary Giattino Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Studio Spotlight episodes continue into Season 5 of Making the Impact with Stage Door School of Dance in Long Island, NY. Owner Mary Giattino joins us to give insight into how she successfully took over the family business and continues to train not only excellent dancers but also excellent people. Stage Door Schoo...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Christina Belinksy and Sam Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 151 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we bring you back to one of the hottest topics in the dance industry today - lyrical vs contemporary. IDA judges and dance educators Christina Belinksy and Sam Quinn weigh in on this discussion. Topics Include:  The evolution of...

Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Welcome to Season 5 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! In this opening episode, your hosts recap the highlights of the first four seasons, share some exciting updates, and give you a sneak peek of what's to come this season! Topics Include:  Podcast cover art winners for Season 5  Fan favorite Making the Impact Awa...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Yurel Echezarreta, Daniela Delahuerta, Tatiana Nuñez, Ethan Zeph, Macy McKown Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz In this special summer bonus episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney sits down to interview the cast of West Side Story during her time performing in the musical production this summer at the prestigious regional theatre The Muny located in...

Send us Fan Mail Guests: Jason Williams and Jared Baker Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Recorded on: June 15th, 2023 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Season 4 of Making The Impact wrapped on June 1st, 2023 but since then, there have been some important conversations making headlines in the dance community when it comes to stolen choreography. Dance educators and choreographers Jason Williams and...

Send us Fan Mail Guests: Jason Williams and Jared Baker Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Recorded on: June 15th, 2023 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Season 4 of Making The Impact wrapped on June 1st, 2023 but since then, there have been some important conversations making headlines in the dance community when it comes to stolen choreography. Dance educators and choreographers Jason Williams and...

Send us Fan Mail Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Season 4 of Making the Impact is coming to an end, but in this episode, we take just a few minutes to share some exciting news and tell you a little about what's coming up in Season 5! Thank you to our loyal listeners for your support this season! Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription...

Send us Fan Mail Guests: Austin and Marideth Talenko - Cost n' Mayor Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Cost n' Mayor, the TikTok duo made up of the talented Austin and Marideth Talenko, join us today to share their unlikely journey to influencer fame! From unorthodox beginnings in the dance world to over 6 million followers on social media, this dancing couple is one you will...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - IDA Judges Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 147 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we asked you, our listeners, to choose the topic! The response was heard loud and clear - you want to hear from your judges what they loved, didn't love, and want to see more of from the 2023 competition season! Thanks to 10 of our IDA judges for...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Pam Simpson and Glen Meynardie Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 146 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we get real with you about how studios cast dancers in competitive routines. Special guests Pam Simpson, a studio owner for 30 years, and Glen Meynardie, frequent guest choreographer and adjudicator give their insight about the cas...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Emily Branigan and Amanda Trusty Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 145 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judge and dance educators Emily Branigan and Amanda Trusty to tell you what judges really think of special awards. (Spoiler alert - we love them).  Topics Include:  The reasons we love special awards  Why spe...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Katrena Cohea and Amanda LaCount Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 144 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we discuss the body image issues that affect dancers and suggest strategies for dance teachers and dance studios to develop a more holistic approach to discussing our bodies. Katrena Cohea and Amanda LaCount join us to help provi...

Send us Fan Mail Guest: Dale Lam Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor CCJ Conservatory, formerly known as Columbia City Jazz, prides itself on producing well-rounded, versatile dancers. With over 35 years of experience, Artistic Director Dale Lam leads the studio in its mission and looks towards the future as the dance studio industry evolves.  Follow CCJ Conservatory on social media @ccj...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Dwayne Vincent Elliott, Kyle Fishbein, and Jamie Johnson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 142 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by the three most die-hard dance dads we could find to share stories of their adventures in the competitive dance world. Dwayne, Kyle, and Jamie were chosen from over 50 nominations to be fea...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Donielle Richmond and Kristi-Ann Phillips Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 141 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking about burnout - the perfect topic for the middle of comp season! Our guests share their strategies for combating burnout, as well as insight into how to help dancers. Topics Include:  How to recognize burn...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Debbi Sampson and Tommy Scrivens  Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 140 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are tackling the topic of appropriateness of choreography, from the subtle nuances we wish we would see to the outrageous things we do see on stage sometimes. Joining us for this discussion are IDA judges and dance educators...

Send us Fan Mail Guest: Derek Mitchell Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Derek Mitchell has been a staple in the NYC dance scene for decades, teaching and inspiring dancers of all ages.  His experience ranges from choreographing for SYTYCD Ukraine and the Knicks City Dancers to serving as Resident Choreographer of the 1st national tour of Hamilton. Nowadays you can find him traveling t...

Send us Fan Mail Guests -  Justine Menter and Sam Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 138 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judge and publicist Sam Quinn and industry coach and dance educator Justine Menter join us to talk about the ins and outs of personal branding for dancers. Topics Include:  What branding actually is in the dance industry today  ...

Send us Fan Mail Guests -Allyson Kelly and Paige Williams Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 137 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two former Radio City Rockettes, Allyson Kelly and Paige Williams, to discuss their experience on the line, as well as how their competitive and non-competitive dance training informed their success in the precisi...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Ellen Marshall and Katie Kruse Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 136 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking about the green-eyed monster - jealousy. IDA judge and dance competition team director Katie Kruse and studio owner Ellen Marshall join us today to talk about strategies for handling jealousy between dancers and even...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Damien Bassman and Kaelyn Gray Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 135 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by tap dance educator and owner of Bring Tap to the People, Kaelyn Gray, as well as Broadway percussionist and college music professor Damien Bassman to talk about the importance of counting music and learning music t...

Send us Fan Mail Guests: Allain Lupien & Andrew Insanally Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Canadian Dance Company from outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada has been a staple in the dance industry for over 30 years. Under the direction of owners Allain Lupien and Artistic Director Andrew Insanally, CDC trains employable dancers - but more importantly, gives them a creative outlet to...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Maddie Kurtz and Jonathan McGill Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 133 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking about transitions - those all-important but often forgotten-about steps in between the technical elements of dance. Joining us for this discussion are dance educators and IDA judges Maddie Kurtz and Jonathan McGill...

Send us Fan Mail Guests - Jaimie Goodwin and Maria Haralambis, M.Ed., NASM CES, FMT Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 132 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by dance educator and entrepreneur Jaimie Goodwin and dance scientist Maria Haralambis for an important discussion on physical safety in the competitive dance world.  Topics Include:  Why da...

Send us Fan Mail Guest: Teddy Forance Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor As a fourth-generation dancer, Teddy Forance has had an incredible career in the dance industry, from performing with the likes of Cirque du Soleil and Janet Jackson, to assisting Mia Michaels, to creating CLI Studios and CLI Conservatory. We are excited to share his story as our third Spotlight Feature of Season 4...