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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
Tap Dance
Ballet
Performance Quality
Contemporary Dance
Broadway
Judging In Dance
Commercial Dance
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes293Founded7 years ago
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Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

That's a wrap on Season 7 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! Thank you to all our loyal listeners who have been here since the beginning for all your support, and to our... more

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Guests - Robb Gibbs, Brittni Johnson, and Anonymous Submissions

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

To close out Season 7 of Making the Impact, we are getting real about the often unspoken truths in the dance competition ... more

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Guests - Summer Aiello & Shannon Thomas

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Our final throwback episode is one for the dance moms out there! Being a dance parent requires learning a lot of new information, from theatre et... more

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Guests - Lynne McNelis and Jennifer Lobaito

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 267 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two former dancers join us to chat about what it's like to raise competiti... 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!
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
Ty Williams
Owner, TNT Dance Academy
TNT Dance Academy (Maryland)
Episode: Bringing Inclusivity and Diversity to Competitive Dance
Tonysha McIntosh
Owner, TNT Dance Academy
TNT Dance Academy (Maryland)
Episode: Bringing Inclusivity and Diversity to Competitive Dance

Hosts

Courtney Ortiz
Host of Making The Impact; professional dancer, educator and owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators (IDA)
Lesley Mealor
Co-host and judge; veteran performer and judge

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 439 ratings
  • 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🌸🎀🩰
    Australia3 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 States3 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
    Canada4 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
  • Excellent

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LDM14NZ
    New Zealanda year ago

Listeners Say

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

Content is consistently helpful for prep, policy, and backstage operations; guests bring deep expertise.
Listeners value open conversations about safety, inclusivity, and fair competition.
Dancers, teachers, and parents praise practical, industry-informed insights from seasoned judges.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Keeping the Artistry in Competitive Dance - Creating Choreography That Stands Out
Q: Can a piece without tricks still be artistic and win?
Yes, if it expresses a clear intention, authentic voice, and strong storytelling that moves the audience, even without high-difficulty tricks.

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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 show centered on the minds and methods of competitive dance judges, with hosts Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor guiding conversations with IDA judges, studio owners, and other dance-industry guests. Episodes emphasize technique foundations (especially ballet and pointe), judging clarity, inclusive practices, open-category discussions, and practical guidance for studios, teachers, dancers, and parents. The format blends expert critique with behind-the-scenes operational insights, spotlighting how competitions run, how fairness is maintained, and how to nurture artistry while safeguarding youth. A notable strength is the network of seasoned judges and administrators who share candid perspectives, making actionable guidance accessible for st... more

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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. Leave It On The Dance Floor
4. Dear Dance Mom...
5. Back to the Barre

How many episodes of Making The Impact are there?

Making The Impact launched 7 years ago and published 293 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. Kathryn Morgan
4. Tommie Lin
5. Jen Armstrong
6. Devin Pendleton
7. Haley Everett
8. Ty 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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