Guests - Jodi Ashby and Melanie Manning Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 181 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two long-time dance parents of competitive dancers join us to give their tips, tricks, and advice for the long and beautiful journey that is the competitive dance world! Topics Include:  Benefits of competitive dance that are specific to this activity How to handle the struggles that come up over the years in the dance studio Packing and...

Guests - Caroline Lewis-Jones and Rebecca Rowley Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 180 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by certified health coach and dance educator Caroline Lewis-Jones and registered dietician Rebecca Rowley to discuss some ideas for fueling our dancers during competition weekends, as well as during the week! Topics Include:   How to stay healthy and fueled on a budget Easy ways to add important nutrients to your...

Guests - Jake Allen Smith and Chloe Roberts Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 179 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we take on one of the hottest topics in the dance industry today - cameras in the classroom! Dance videographer Jake Allen Smith and IDA judge, educator and professional dancer Chloe Roberts share their thoughts on the pros and cons of this relatively new phenomenon. Topics Include:  The evolution of cameras in dance education...

Guests: Cookie Ramos and John Culbertson Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Dance Attack Miami has been in business for 29 years, and owners Cookie Ramos and John Culbertson see no end in sight for their studio that started with only 7 students! With a focus on quality over quantity, Dance Attack Miami gives a well-rounded dance education that has seen alumni go on to careers on Broadway, on cruise ships, in film and tv, and more! Help support our podcast. Join Making The...

Guests - Justin Streeter, Angelina and Karlo Familara Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 177 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by Justin Streeter, and Angelina and Karlo Familara, all educators of street styles and hip hop, to discuss their points of view when it comes to the hip hop category at competition. Topics Include:  Why foundations and fundamentals matter in hip hop and street styles just as much as in ballet What they are...

Guests - Kate Biernat and Krysten Danielle Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 176 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we focus on the tiniest dancers who defy all expectations, only to burn out at a young age. IDA judge Kate Biernat and dance educator Krysten Danielle give their unique perspectives and advice for the youngest of dancers.  Topics Include:  Typical weekly schedule for high-achieving minis  What happens when minis have to dance with an...

Guests - Drew Burgess and Lisa Curatolo Turpin Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 175 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, pirouettes are the name of the game! We hear from Lisa Curatolo Turpin, director of Expressenz Dance Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Drew Burgess, IDA judge and dance educator, about their thoughts on what makes the perfect recipe for successful pirouettes! Topics Include:  How to set yourself (and your students) up for...

Guests - Rachel Edelbrock and Dana Thompson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 174 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by homeschooling dance mom @dancemomdana Dana Thompson and studio director Rachel Edelbrock to give some enlightening insight into the world of homeschooled dancers.  Topics Include:  The types of homeschooling options that exist for dancers Tips for studio owners who are interested in offering programming for...

Guests - Jordan Keyon Moncrief and Ashley Peter Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 173  of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are focusing on the show that goes on backstage at a dance competition! Former backstage manager and event director Jordan Keyon Smith and former competition director and IDA judge Ashley Peter join us to give us all the details about what you should know before you head backstage at competition this season! Topics Include:  How...

Guests - Kimberly Soel and Kevin Grant Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 172 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educators and IDA judges Kimberly Soel and Kevin Grant join us for a discussion about dance parents - specifically, the ones who seem to live vicariously through their dancer.  Topics Include:  Discussions of the possible causes of overzealous parents Repercussions in the classroom for students who are being pushed to be in class by...

Guests - James Murphy and Maria Pomerleau Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 171 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we go deep into one of the most confusing parts of the competitive dance world - awards ceremonies! IDA judge and dance educator Maria Pomerleau and Star Talent Productions host and emcee James Murphy join us for this informative discussion! Topics Include:  Types of awards and what they mean How levels affect how many 1st places exist at...

Guests: Rebecca Rosenberg and Emily Rosenberg Hosted by Courtney Ortiz  On this week's episode of Making the Impact, Courtney chats with Rebecca and Emily Rosenberg, co-owners of Steps Dance Center in Naperville, Illinois. You may recognize Steps Dance Center from their 5 Industry Dance Awards!  Topics include: What makes their studio uniqueHow they both got into studio ownershipWhy creating customized genre programs works for their dancers! Why versatility matters in a studio...

Guests - Jessica Olinik and Amy Tully Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 169 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two IDA judges who also wear other hats in the dance world to chat about what goes on during a day of dance competition, from dance parent to dance studio owner to dance judge! Topics Include:  Advice for dance parents approaching their first competition season The ins and outs of the duties of a dance teacher or studio...

Guests - Colin Bradbury and Sean Aaron Carmon Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 168 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're bringing in two accomplished male dancers to discuss their experiences as boys who danced growing up, and how those experiences shaped their lives and career paths.  Topics Include:  How first influences in the studio impacted each guest Advice for young male dancers in the current studio culture The dance belt talk (it had to...

Guest: Tommy Scrivens Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz Special BONUS EPISODE! A Platinum Premium Exclusive! To end out the 2023 year strong we are bringing back our popular Q&A with Courtney LIVE episodes! Our Q&A episodes now record monthly for Platinum Premium subscribers only. Dive in to a chat about all things competitive dance with Making the Impact host Courtney Ortiz and special guest IDA Judge Tommy Scrivens! This episode was recorded in November 2023. Topics include: How does a...

Guests - IDA Judges and Podcast Fans! Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 166 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from YOU, our listeners, as well as special guest IDA judges about the ridiculous expectations of the competitive dance world!  Topics Include:  The tiny costumes Full makeup on 5 years olds The time and money invested in dance competitions Help support our podcast. Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your...

Guests - Chase Haley Bowden and Julie Swartz Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 165 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, duo/trios take over! The dance competition world can feel solo-heavy sometimes, so we are focusing on the small but mighty duo/trio category with guests Chase Haley Bowden and Julie Swartz. Topics Include:  Best practices for casting duo/trios at the studio What judges wish they would see more of in a duo/trio routine Benefits of...

Guests - Jamie Harris and Rebecca Tyler Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 164 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, dance educator Jamie Harris and studio owner Rebecca Tyler join us for an informative discussion on the best continuing education opportunities for dance teachers! Topics Include:  Favorite programs and courses Benefits of continuing education Suggestions for low cost or free continuing ed opportunities Help support our podcast. Join...

Guests - Amanda Carter and Sarah Matteson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 163 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, studio owner Amanda Carter and dance educator, adjudicator, and dance mom Sarah Matteson join us to discuss the pros, cons, and everything in between when it comes to dance competitions and dance conventions! Topics Include: Descriptions of what makes competitions and conventions different from each otherReasons why some studios choose...

Guests - Ashley Marinelli and Kalie-Ann Nassoura Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Happy Thanksgiving! In Episode 162 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we tackle a topic that has been requested for years - pay rates in the professional dance world! From gigs to long contracts, commercial work to Broadway, professional dancers Ashley Marinelli and Kalie-Ann Nassoura give you the details on how much you can make as a dancer! Topics Include:  A brief overview of...

Guest: Nicole Wells Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Our first international studio spotlight features Dance Force Australia, owned and directed by Nicole Wells! Dance Force's programming includes several unique offerings for students who want to train at a pre-professional level, as well as a full recreational program for those who just want to have fun! Follow Dance Force Australia on social media @danceforce  and be sure to check out their upcoming projects! Help support...

Guests - Nicole Perry and Keanu Uchida Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 160 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, intimacy director and dance educator Nicole Perry and NEAMA co-founder and advocate for awareness of sexual abuse in the dance industry, Keanu Uchida, sit down for a candid conversation about improper behavior, unfair power dynamics, and abuse in the dance industry.  *While we do not discuss any graphic details pertaining to sexual abuse in...

Guests - Brittany Nicholas and Miranda Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 159 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two incredible former competitive dancers turned professional dancers join us to talk about their experiences as swings and understudies, and how their time in the competition world helped prepare them for these unique roles on stages from Broadway to concert dance. Topics Include:  A crash course on professional stage...

Guests - Kelsey Nelson and Terrill Mitchell Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 158 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, the King and Queen of across the floor join us for a conversation on this fun and necessary topic! Kelsey Nelson and Terrill Mitchell are known for their challenging and beneficial across the floor progressions, and they are sharing some hot tips for teachers! Topics Include:  The overall concepts that across the floor work...

Guests - Chip Abbott and Summer Renner Disher Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 157 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our spectacular guests, studio owner Summer Renner Disher and dance educator and choreographer Chip Abbott school us on the importance of movement quality for competitive dancers, and give tips on teaching techniques for all ages! Topics Include:  How to talk about movement quality in class Unique approaches to teaching movement...