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Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Impact Dance Adjudicators
Dance Competitions
Dance Education
Dance Competition
Choreography
Competitive Dance
Judging Criteria
Dance Training
Impact Dance Adjudicators
Teamwork
Ballet
Tap Dance
Performance Quality
Contemporary Dance
Broadway
Judging In Dance
Dance
Commercial Dance
Auditions
Lyrical Dance
Cruise Ship Dancing

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,... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes298Founded7 years ago
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Latest Episodes

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Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 271 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney and Lesley are live from Vegas, where they hosted a Q&A at Dance Teacher Web! Thanks to all of the wonderful p... more

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Guests: Stacey Dimberio and Brooke MacIver

Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor

The winner of the Making the Impact Award fan favorite contest from 2026 is Stacey's Studio of Dance Education's routine "Somebody To Love"! We ar... more

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Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Welcome to Season 8 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Courtney and Lesley have some fun news to share about this season, as well as a recap of the summer!

Topics Inclu... more

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IDA Judges - Brittany Nicholas, Kyle Rostan, Sally Cofield, Marie Choate

Hosted By - Holly Shipley

Produced By: Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

We are excited to have partnered with IDA affiliated Competition The ... more

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Recent Guests

Summer Aiello
Dance mom, cover art contest winner, IDA-related influencer
Self / Dance Community
Episode: Throwback! - S3 EP 96 – How to NOT be a Stage Mom!
Shannon Thomas
Studio owner
The Legacy Dance Studio
Episode: Throwback! - S3 EP 96 – How to NOT be a Stage Mom!
Lynne McNelis
Former competitive dancer, Dance Mom and studio professional
Undisclosed studio, Texas-based
Episode: Raising the New Generation - Former Dancers Who Are Now Competitive Dance Parents
Jennifer Lobaito
Florida-based dance mom, former competitive dancer
Self-described as a parent involved in choreography and studio activities
Episode: Raising the New Generation - Former Dancers Who Are Now Competitive Dance Parents
Kathryn Morgan
Former New York City Ballet principal, setzte in Pointe-Training
Pointe ballet dancer
Episode: All About Pointe For Training Dancers
Tommie Lin
Principal dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Episode: All About Pointe For Training Dancers
Jen Armstrong
Owner of Star Talent Productions
Star Talent Productions
Episode: IDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions
Devin Pendleton
Host and event director at Star Talent
Star Talent Productions
Episode: IDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions
Haley Everett
Assistant Director, All Needs Program at Studio 19
Studio 19, Rochester, NY
Episode: Bringing Inclusivity and Diversity to Competitive Dance

Hosts

Courtney Ortiz
Host of the show; professional dancer, educator, and owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators (IDA)
Lesley Mealor
Host of the show; veteran performer and judge; co-host and judge in some episodes

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 443 ratings
  • 4 stars! ⭐️

    This podcast really changed my perspective as a dancer! Thank you! ❤️✨

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Ambydoo🙃
    Canadaa month ago
  • I love this

    I absolutely love this podcast definitely recommend please if your a dancer , dance parent or work any ware in the industry your must listen to this immediately

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anonymous🌸🎀🩰
    Australia6 months ago
  • Perfect for car rides to dance class

    I love listening to this podcast on the way to dance class and during downtime at competitions. It has definitely taught my mom and I a lot and has given us a judge’s prospective. Making the impact is super well done and you can tell that all of the hosts and guests know their stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lauren.dance
    United States7 months ago
  • Wonderful podcast!

    I’m a dancer from Canada, and this podcast has really changed my perspective. Next time someone drops something on stage, I’m going to pick it up!😝

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dance is the best987
    Canada8 months ago
  • Where are the numbers?

    I love this podcast but wish they would number the episodes. When they refer to previous episodes by number I want to listen to them but it’s a challenge to find them . Is there a way to locate episodes by number that I am not aware of?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NJ studio owner
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise depth and practical guidance for judges, parents, and studio leaders.
Guests are described as knowledgeable and open, with actionable insights for competition prep and policy discussions.
Audience appreciates open conversations about inclusivity and safety in the dance world.
Shows are called informative, polished, and valuable for both newcomers and veterans in dance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Raising the New Generation - Former Dancers Who Are Now Competitive Dance Parents
Q: How have training environments changed from Lynne's era to today?
The discussion highlights a shift from tight-knit team-focused training with fewer solos to a more solo-centric, highly competitive environment, with broader access to resources and conventions that shape modern expectations.
Throwback! - S3 EP 96 – How to NOT be a Stage Mom!
Q: What makes a healthy stage mom different from an overbearing one?
Healthy stage moms communicate respectfully with the studio, rely on the professionals for guidance, and support their child without micromanaging or pressuring them during rehearsals or performances.
All About Pointe For Training Dancers
Q: When did you start pointe, and did you feel it was the right time for you?
Both guests described starting around age 11 and emphasized that readiness came from strong pre-point training, not just a desire to wear pointe shoes.
IDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions
Q: What advice would you give to studio owners considering Star Talent for next season?
Jen and Devin emphasize open communication, asking questions early, and ensuring alignment with the team; they stress that the right fit varies by schedule and that early and clear information helps studios plan effectively.
IDA Competition Spotlight - Star Talent Productions
Q: How did you first connect with Star Talent and come into the mix?
Jen describes reaching out after an initial Facebook post and a successful interview process that quickly turned into a long-term collaboration, ultimately shaping Star Talent's leadership structure and event execution.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Making The Impact

What is Making The Impact about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A dancer-competition-focused discussion that centers on judging, technique, and the realities behind the scenes of dance events. Episodes frequently feature IDA judges, studio owners, coaching staff, and parent perspectives, with practical guidance on judging criteria, choreography, safety, and studio-management dynamics. Noteworthy is the emphasis on inclusivity, the open dialogue about industry challenges (such as scheduling, pay, and open-category definitions), and a hands-on approach to protecting young dancers while improving competition culture. The format blends expert analysis, guest anecdotes, and actionable takeaways for studios, parents, and aspiring judges, making it useful for listeners who want clearer expectations and smarter... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Making The Impact?

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1. Dear Dance Mom...
2. LadyGang
3. Call Her Daddy
4. Not So Little with Kendall Vertes
5. Whine Down with Jana Kramer

How many episodes of Making The Impact are there?

Making The Impact launched 7 years ago and published 298 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Making The Impact?

Recent guests on Making The Impact include:

1. Summer Aiello
2. Shannon Thomas
3. Lynne McNelis
4. Jennifer Lobaito
5. Kathryn Morgan
6. Tommie Lin
7. Jen Armstrong
8. Devin Pendleton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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