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Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Written by: Impact Dance Adjudicators
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About this listen

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

© 2026 Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Art Entertainment & Performing Arts
Episodes
  • Raising the New Generation - Former Dancers Who Are Now Competitive Dance Parents
    May 14 2026

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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 competitive dancers in this new era in the industry. From memories of "the good old days" to current challenges and joys, this is an episode you don't want to miss!


    Topics Include:

    • The search for the right dance studio
    • Differences between the old generation and the new generation of dancers
    • Setting your dancer up for what success looks like for them using your knowledge of 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 Seasons 4 through 7. 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
    • Lynne McNelis - @lynnemcnelis
    • Jennifer Lobaito - @Dancefixwithjenn



    This episode is sponsored by:

    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 True Dance Challenge! www.truedancechallenge.com


    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 20 mins
  • Throwback! - S1 EP 21 – Beyond the Barre - Why Ballet Matters in Competitive Dance
    May 7 2026

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    Guests - Carrie Euker, Holly Gannett

    Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor


    Today's throwback episode takes us back to Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast's very first season! This episode features IDA judges Carrie Euker and Holly Gannett discussing ways to keep ballet fun, relevant and beloved in the dance competition world. This episode originally aired on March 30, 2020.



    Topics Include:

    • Ideas for keeping ballet class interesting
    • What judges look for in a ballet competition routine
    • How ballet can benefit other styles of 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 Seasons 4 through 7. 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
    • Carrie Euker - @CMEuker
    • Holly Gannett - @Hollcoll77



    This episode is sponsored by:

    The DanceOne Summit
    The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.
    Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACT


    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
    51 mins
  • All About Pointe For Training Dancers
    Apr 30 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Guests - Kathryn Morgan and Tommie Lin Kesten

    Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor


    In Episode 265 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, guests Kathryn Morgan and Tommie Lin Kesten join us for an eye-opening chat about pointe! From pointe-readiness to shoe preparation, we dive into the challenges and joys of dancing en pointe!



    Topics Include:

    • The real amount of training that should occur prior to going en pointe
    • Tips for finding the right pointe shoe for you
    • Is pre-pointe class necessary?



    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 Seasons 4 through 7. 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
    • Kathryn Morgan - @Kathryn_Morgan
    • Tommie Lin Kesten - @tommielin


    This episode is sponsored by:

    The DanceOne Summit
    The premier event for dance teachers and studio owners to unite. share. inspire! This summer in New York City - August 13-16th, 2026.
    Register now for $100 off using promo code: DOS26IMPACT

    Check out IDA Affiliated Competition Star Talent Productions!
    View their 2027 season tour dates and register now at www.startalentproductions.com


    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 7 mins
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