Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

By: Impact Dance Adjudicators
  • Summary

  • Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of a dance competition judge? What does it take to impress the people behind the table?

    Join your hosts Courtney Ortiz, professional dancer, educator and owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators, and Lesley Mealor, veteran performer and judge, on Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, as they dive into all things dance competition!

    Each week, listen as Courtney and Lesley discuss various hot topics with members of the IDA judges’ roster and other special guests in the dance world, from technique, to costumes, to the dreaded question - “Tights…or no tights?” Stay tuned for special spotlight episodes, round table chats and so much more! Weekly episodes launch every Thursday throughout the dance season! @impactdanceadjudicators

    © 2025 Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
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Episodes
  • Dance Reels 101 - Why Quality Dance Footage is Essential
    Apr 10 2025

    Guests - Erin Marino

    Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor


    In Episode 222 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, industry professional Erin Marino shares her insight about how to craft a reel that best represents you! Casting directors, agents, and choreographers look to a dance reel or video footage to find out anything from your personality to your technical ability. Having a cohesive and professional dance reel is one of the most powerful tools in an aspiring dancer’s toolbox!



    Topics Include:

    • What should be included in your professional dance reel?
    • Do you need other types of footage in a variety of styles?
    • How important is it to have dance footage on your social media and Instagram?
    • What are casting directors and agents really looking for in your dance footage?



    Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:

    • Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-only
    • Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
    • Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. No sponsored ads!
    • 20% off all IDA Merchandise
    • Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
    • Discounted IDA Online Critique
    • Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!

    Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!

    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!



    Follow your Hosts & Guests!

    • Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
    • Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
    • Erin Marino - @erinmarino



    Learn more and check out the LA Establish!

    - Establish YOU - A 10 month pre-professional training program in Los Angeles, CA to help bridge your career into the entertainment industry.

    - LA Establishment's Commercial Dance Summer Intensives - Ages 8-12 & 13+!



    This episode is sponsored by:

    Dance Teacher Web Conference and Expo.
    This summer July 22nd-25th in Las Vegas, NV!
    140+ master classes, seminars, events, & more for continuing education and networking in the dance community!
    Use code: IMPACT50 for $50 off!



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



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



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



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


    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • The Over-sexualization of Kids In Competitive Dance
    Apr 3 2025

    Guests - Leslie Scott Zanovitch and Dr. Christina "Dr. T." Donaldson

    Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor


    In Episode 221 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are shining a light on an uncomfortable topic - the over-sexualization of kids in the competitive dance world. Please take care when listening, and screen this episode before listening with children.



    Topics Include:

    • What counts as sexualized choreography?
    • How over-sexualization of children at a young age affects their sexual development
    • How social media has normalized and encouraged sexual movements in competitive dance



    Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:

    • Monthly Q&A episodes released to members only
    • Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
    • Ad-free listening for all of Season 4, 5 & 6. No sponsored ads!
    • 20% off all IDA Merchandise
    • Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
    • Discounted IDA Online Critique
    • Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!

    Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!

    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!



    Follow your Hosts & Guests!

    • Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
    • Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
    • Leslie Scott Zanovitch - @lesliescottsays
    • Dr. Christina "Dr. T" Donaldson - @dancin.dr.t



    If you have listened to this episode and need support, please utilize the following resources:

    • ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child
    • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 - RAINN
    • NEAMA - Nonprofit Education and Advocacy for the Movement Arts



    This episode is sponsored by:

    Dance Teacher Web Conference and Expo.
    This summer July 22nd-25th in Las Vegas, NV!
    140+ master classes, seminars, events, & more for continuing education and networking in the dance community!
    Use code: IMPACT50 for $50 off!

    Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's Critiques
    Send us a video of your dance and an IDA Judge will critique your routine! You can request a genre-specific specialty judge or add on 10 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
    Submit your video now!


    Check out IDA-Affiliated Competition Positive Vibes! Visit their website for their 2025 season schedule!



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



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



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

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 36 mins
  • The Never Ending Debate - Two Shoes, One Shoe, or No Shoes?
    Mar 27 2025

    Guests - IDA Judges

    Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor


    In Episode 220 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we devote a full episode to the conversation that seems to never end in the competitive dance world - to wear two shoes, one shoe, or no shoes? Our IDA judges chime in with their thoughts and we (try to) look at the opposing point of view!



    Topics Include:

    • The variety of reasons to wear two shoes
    • Why dancing barefoot can be beneficial
    • A few arguments for wearing one shoe



    Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:

    • Monthly Q&A episodes released to members-only
    • Priority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.
    • Ad-free listening for all of Season 4, 5 & 6. No sponsored ads!
    • 20% off all IDA Merchandise
    • Exclusive bonus content released throughout the year
    • Discounted IDA Online Critique
    • Group Zoom check-ins 3x per season with Courtney Ortiz!

    Your support helps us produce future episodes of Making The Impact for years to come!

    Making The Impact's Platinum Premium - Sign up now for only $5/month!



    Follow your Hosts & Guests!

    • Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
    • Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance
    • Impact Dance Adjudicators - @impactdanceadjudicators



    This episode is sponsored by:

    Dance Teacher Web Conference and Expo
    This summer July 22nd-25th in Las Vegas, NV!
    140+ master classes, seminars, events, & more for continuing education and networking in the dance community!
    Use code: IMPACT50 for $50 off!


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



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



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



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

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 22 mins
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