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Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Impact Dance Adjudicators
Dance Education
Dance Competitions
Dance Competition
Competitive Dance
Broadway
Dance Industry
Backstage Management
Pay Rates
Pirouettes
Commercial Dance
Dance Costumes
Dance Preparation
Performance Skills
Theater Etiquette
Homeschooling
Cruise Ship Dancing
Union Vs. Non-Union
Fosse Style In Dance
Costuming In Dance
Singing In Dance

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes274Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for Making The Impact

Latest Episodes

Guests - Jonathan & Oksana Platero

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 251 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, professional dancers and educators Jonathan and Oksana Platero share their extensive experience with ... more

Guests - Halle Mastroberardino and Donna Michelle Vaughn

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Our throwback episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast covers the many ways things can go wrong at a live dance performance, fro... more

Guests - Brion Marquis Watson and Cassidy Noblett

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 249 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our "day in the life" series continues with a job most dancers dream of - being on tou... more

Guests - Tommy Tibball, Madi Hicks, Jason Williams, and Courtney Barclay

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 248 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the 2025 A.C.E. Awards winners join us for a look inside the pr... more

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Platero
Professional dancer and choreographer, former contestant on So You Think You Can Dance
Episode: Partnering and Lifts - Tips and Tricks from the Pros
Oksana Platero
Professional dancer and choreographer, former contestant on So You Think You Can Dance
Episode: Partnering and Lifts - Tips and Tricks from the Pros
Halle Mastroberardino
Professional dancer and IDA judge with experience in stage performances.
Impact Dance Adjudicators
Episode: Throwback! S4 EP 120 - Stage and Costume Malfunctions - What To Do During Onstage Mishaps
Donna Vaughn
Broadway professional and IDA judge with extensive dance and performance experience.
Impact Dance Adjudicators
Episode: Throwback! S4 EP 120 - Stage and Costume Malfunctions - What To Do During Onstage Mishaps
Cassidy Noblett
Professional dancer with extensive experience touring with artists like Janet Jackson and Katy Perry.
Episode: A Day in the Life of a Dancer on Tour
Brion Watson
Dancer currently on tour with MJ The Musical, previously with Hamilton and Wicked.
Episode: A Day in the Life of a Dancer on Tour
Courtney Barclay
Creative director of Evoque Dance Movement in Carlsbad
Evoque Dance Movement
Episode: The 2025 A.C.E Awards Winners - Sponsored by DanceOne
Jason Williams
A dancer with extensive experience in TV and film, including high-profile titles.
Episode: The 2025 A.C.E Awards Winners - Sponsored by DanceOne
Madi Hicks
A choreographer and educator with a passion for creating impactful work.
Episode: The 2025 A.C.E Awards Winners - Sponsored by DanceOne

Hosts

Courtney Ortiz
Host and professional dancer, educator and owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators. Actively engages with the dance community through various roles across competitions and education.
Lesley Mealor
Co-host, veteran performer, and judge with extensive experience in dance education and competition.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 430 ratings
  • 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 States9 months ago
  • Excellent

    Super slick, professional podcast about a variety of topics of interest to competitive dancers. Interesting guests and discussions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LDM14NZ
    New Zealand10 months ago
  • Love it! Great for new dancers and dancers who have been dancing for years

    Making The Impact is my favorite podcast to listen to! It is great for dancers, teachers, and parents. There’s so many different topics and episodes to learn from. I really love this podcast for competition prep or anytime. Making The Impact is an amazing podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Diamond dancer 💎🩰
    United Statesa year ago
  • My go-to listen!

    This podcast has been my favorite listen this year for this dancer-turned-dance mom! Courtney and Lesley are so fun to listen to, and my daughter and I learn a so much from each episode. One specific episode opened our eyes and helped us to make a difficult, yet necessary, decision for my daughter’s dance future and we could not be happier. This podcast should be at the top of every dancer’s and dance parent’s list!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DanceMom731
    United States2 years ago
  • Game Changer!

    I am a newer studio owner in Ontario, Canada and I absolutely love listening to this podcast. I too hope to “make an impact” in the world of dance and this podcast is full of so much knowledge and ideas that can be implemented into my programs. Would love to have my dancers judged by IDA judges! We might just have to make a trip some day soon!! Thanks for everything!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    McKinlee P
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the professional and engaging approach taken by the hosts, providing insights that resonate with the competitive dance community.
There's a strong emphasis on the practicality of information offered, making it beneficial for both dancers and parents.
Feedback highlights the hosts' warmth and relatability, contributing to a friendly and informative listening environment.
The podcast is seen as a vital resource for navigating the challenges of competitive dance, with many expressing gratitude for the supportive community created through the dialogue.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Q&A with Courtney Live 2025 - Platinum Premium Exclusive
Q: What advice would you give a 15-year-old boy to help him bring the facials to his hip hop class?
Encouraging the dancer to watch performances and realize that expressing yourself is part of being a dancer, which can help bring back their confidence in performing.
Q&A with Courtney Live 2025 - Platinum Premium Exclusive
Q: What advice do you have for tap dancers at competitions who feel like they are struggling with tap dancing on a Marley floor?
Tap dance is not designed to be on a Marley floor; dancers can request adjustments in sound for better performance. Training for position and using the right shoes can improve performance.
A Crash Course on Leaps and Jumps
Q: Why do leaps and jumps matter so much in dance?
They show strength, athleticism, dynamics, and emotion while also elevating the storytelling and showcasing the dancer's mastery.
What It Takes To Become a Dance Convention Assistant
Q: Do you encourage your students to pursue these opportunities and how do they come about?
We have an older group of kiddos who are our pre-professional company. They attend optional conventions, aside from the ones that are required, allowing them to train and assist if that's their goal.
Live from Dance Teacher Web Conference 2025 in Las Vegas!
Q: How do judges weigh the percentage of performance versus execution in your score?
This depends on the scoring system, but generally, technique tends to be weighted more heavily because it is measurable and can be assessed more accurately.

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?

This podcast focuses on the intricacies of the dance competition world, providing valuable insights for dancers, teachers, and parents alike. Each episode features engaging discussions on a variety of pertinent topics, ranging from technical skills, performance quality, and fundraising strategies, to the psychological aspects of competition. The hosts often invite industry professionals, including dance educators, judges, and performers, to share their experiences and expertise, thereby enriching the conversation and offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to succeed in dance competitions.

Noteworthy is the podcast's commitment to addressing relevant themes in the dance community, such as the balance between compe... more

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How many subscribers and views does Making The Impact have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Making The Impact?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Making The Impact:

1. Two Dance Moms Podcast - For Competition Dance Parents
2. The Great Dance Debate
3. Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari
4. The Toast
5. Call Her Daddy

How many episodes of Making The Impact are there?

Making The Impact launched 6 years ago and published 274 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Making The Impact?

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What guests have appeared on Making The Impact?

Recent guests on Making The Impact include:

1. Jonathan Platero
2. Oksana Platero
3. Halle Mastroberardino
4. Donna Vaughn
5. Cassidy Noblett
6. Brion Watson
7. Courtney Barclay
8. Jason Williams

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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