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Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Impact Dance Adjudicators
Dance Competitions
Dance Education
Dance Competition
Choreography
Competitive Dance
Impact Dance Adjudicators
Judging Criteria
Dance Training
Teamwork
Tap Dance
Ballet
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes301Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for Making The Impact

Latest Episodes

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Guests - Lauren Gaul and Ashley Thorndike

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 274 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're diving into the topic of dance in college, with two experts in the fie... more

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Guests - Clarice Ordaz and Amber Nadelkov

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

We are bringing back our Throwback episodes in Season 8 of Making the Impact, and today we're heading to 2021 to discuss what the competitive d... more

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Guests - Kristen Cochran and Dawn Parker

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 272 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we honor the teachers who impacted us during our journey in the dance world. ... more

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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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Recent Guests

Lauren Gaul
Chair of Dance and Musical Theater, Sands College of Performing Arts, Pace University
Pace University
Episode: A Crash Course on College Dance Program Auditions
Ashley Thorndike
Founder, Dance and College Counseling
Dance and College Counseling
Episode: A Crash Course on College Dance Program Auditions
Amber Nadelkov
IDA judge, brand new to the roster
IDA
Episode: Throwback! S2 Ep 45 - A Look At Competitive Dance Through the Years
Clarice Ordaz
Comp kid turned professional dancer and teacher
Episode: Throwback! S2 Ep 45 - A Look At Competitive Dance Through the Years
Kristen Kupkowski Cochran
Former student of Lesley Mealor's mother; dance educator and performer
Cobb County Center for Excellence in Performing Arts; Pebblebrook High School
Episode: The Dance Teachers Who Impacted Us featuring Lesley’s Teachers
Dawn Parker
Former student and long-time dance teacher; educator and performer
Cobb County dance community; mentor to Lesley and Courtney
Episode: The Dance Teachers Who Impacted Us featuring Lesley’s Teachers
Heather Kosai
Judge, from Utah
Valley Dance Studios
Episode: LIVE! From Dance Teacher Web Vegas 2026
Stacey Dimberio
Owner, Stacey's Studio of Dance Education
Stacey's Studio of Dance Education
Episode: Studio Spotlight - Stacey's Studio of Dance Education
Brooke MacIver
Choreographer, Stacey's Studio of Dance Education
Stacey's Studio of Dance Education
Episode: Studio Spotlight - Stacey's Studio of Dance Education

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🙃
    Canada2 months 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🌸🎀🩰
    Australia7 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.

Throwback! S2 Ep 45 - A Look At Competitive Dance Through the Years
Q: What was the first memory Amber had of competition?
Amber recalls beginning to compete around 1992 in Deltona, Florida, and describes early solo and group performances, the age divisions, and the excitement of being on stage at a young age.
LIVE! From Dance Teacher Web Vegas 2026
Q: What should studios do about levels and enforcement to keep competition fair?
The panel suggests studios ask ahead about enforcement, push for transparency, and consider working with competitions that have dedicated rule-enforcing judges or clearer adjudication ranges to avoid misleveling.
LIVE! From Dance Teacher Web Vegas 2026
Q: How do we move past acro-dominated routines and ensure correct category placement?
Judges emphasize evaluating the overall choreography, vocabulary, and storytelling and insist routines should be placed in the category that fits the predominant style, with consideration for proper balance of technique and genre execution.
LIVE! From Dance Teacher Web Vegas 2026
Q: What are judges really looking for in a hip hop number in competition?
Judges acknowledge they are not hip-hop specialists on every panel, so studios should seek panels with judges well-versed in hip-hop, and studios should request appropriate judging support when registering.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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Social Media Reach

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. Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast
3. Giggly Squad
4. Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari
5. Call Her Daddy

How many episodes of Making The Impact are there?

Making The Impact launched 7 years ago and published 301 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. Lauren Gaul
2. Ashley Thorndike
3. Amber Nadelkov
4. Clarice Ordaz
5. Kristen Kupkowski Cochran
6. Dawn Parker
7. Heather Kosai
8. Stacey Dimberio

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