Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
205 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 236 ratingsHave 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 studio spotlight episodes, round table chats and so much more! Weekly episodes launch every Thursday throughout the dance season!
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
How Do Competition Judges Keep Their Emotions Out of Scoring?
April 18, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MBGuests - Rachel Roberts and Tommy Scrivens Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 183 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two veteran IDA judges join us to discuss how we remain as objective as possible when judging, while also trying to stay human and enjoy the art of dance! Topics Include: The different reasons a judge may be emotionally affected by a routine Strategies for separating emotions from the work without losing the ability to take in the a...
Pursuing a Career in Concert Dance
April 11, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBGuests - Madi Hicks and Doug Baum Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 182 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we talk to two contemporary concert dancers about their experiences in the company dance scene and hear advice for young dancers interested in pursuing this path! Topics Include: The type of training needed to succeed in the concert dance world What kinds of jobs are available to concert dancers How concert dance and commercial dance are d...
Advice from Veteran Competitive Dance Parents
April 04, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 55 MBGuests - 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 ...
Nutrition for Dancers - How to Fuel Your Body Properly
March 28, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBGuests - 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 ...
Cameras in the Classroom
March 21, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBGuests - 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 spaces ...
Studio Spotlight - Dance Attack Miami
March 14, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 47.1 MBGuests: 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 Impact's P...
Hip Hop at Competition - What is Missing in the Genre
March 07, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBGuests - 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 l...
Mini Dancers Who Peak Too Early
February 29, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBGuests - 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...
Perfecting the Pirouette - Tips from the Pros
February 22, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBGuests - 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 succes...
Homeschooling and Dance - What's Right For Your Dancer
February 15, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBGuests - 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 homescho...
Behind the Curtain - What You Need to Know Backstage at Competition
February 08, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 54.4 MBGuests - 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: H...
When the Parent Wants It More Than The Dancer
February 01, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBGuests - 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 b...
A Crash Course on Award Ceremonies 🏆
January 25, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 51.8 MBGuests - 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 exis...
Studio Spotlight - Steps Dance Center
January 18, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBGuests: 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 unique How they both got into studio ownership Why creating customized genre programs works for their dancers! Why versatility matters in a studio sett...
A Day In the Life at a Dance Competition
January 11, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBGuests - 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 o...
Boys Dance Too!
January 04, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBGuests - 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 ha...
Q&A with Courtney Live 2023 - Platinum Premium Exclusive
December 28, 2023 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBGuest: 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 dancer...
Ridiculous Expectations of Competitive Dance
December 21, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 69.3 MBGuests - 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! ...
The Duo/Trio Category at Competition
December 14, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBGuests - 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...
Continuing Education for Dance Teachers
December 07, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBGuests - 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...
Dance Conventions vs Dance Competitions
November 30, 2023 12:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBGuests - 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 other Reasons why some studios choos...
Pay Rates for a Professional Dance Career
November 23, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBGuests - 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...
Studio Spotlight - Dance Force Australia
November 16, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBGuest: 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 our p...
A Conversation About Abuse in the Dance Industry
November 09, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBGuests - 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...
Swings and Understudies - The Unsung Heroes of the Dance World
November 02, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBGuests - 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 terminology ...
All About Across the Floor and Progressions
October 26, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.9 MBGuests - 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 teaches ...
Mastering Movement Quality in Dance
October 19, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBGuests - 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 qu...
The Ingredients to a Winning Routine at Competition
October 12, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MBGuests - Jody Reynard and Andrea Tracy Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 156 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two fantastic dance educators and veteran competition judges, Jody Reynard and Andrea Tracy, to share our thoughts on what makes up a winning routine at competition! Topics Include: Why choreography plays so heavily into the scoring of a routine - and why we can't always tell you about it Do tricks really matter to judg...
Back to Basics - The Importance of Foundational Training
October 05, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBGuests - Kelin Barr and Mary Marrone Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 155 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, guests Kelin Barr, dance educator in New York, and Mary Marrone, IDA judge and studio owner in Connecticut, join us to outline the benefits of going back to the basics in every style of dance - as well as in every level of dance! Topics Include: Ideas for promoting excitement about the foundational elements of dance Thoughts about why so...
Performing Arts High Schools - The Value in Attending
September 28, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBGuests - Jamie Howes and James Manning Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 154 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we dive into the world of performing arts high schools with two wonderful guests who are the head of the dance department at their schools to give us the inside scoop on what life is like in an academic setting that's devoted to the arts! Topics Include: The relationship between their performing arts schools and the competitive dance studi...
The Dos and Don'ts of Music Editing For Competitive Dance
September 21, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 51 MBGuests - Amy Gibson and Morriss Partee Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 153 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judge and dance educator Amy Gibson, and Morriss Partee, owner of Squirrel Trench Audio, to give you the scoop on why you need to edit your music for the competitive dance stage! Topics Include: Tips and tricks to get the best edits possible Common music editing mistakes and how to fix them Why viewing your dance...
Studio Spotlight - Stage Door School of Dance
September 14, 2023 11:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBGuest: Mary Giattino Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Studio Spotlight episodes continue into Season 5 of Making the Impact with Stage Door School of Dance in Long Island, NY. Owner Mary Giattino joins us to give insight into how she successfully took over the family business and continues to train not only excellent dancers but also excellent people. Stage Door School of Dance is the very first recipient of our Making the Impact Award to receive a full studio spotlight feature on...
Lyrical vs Contemporary 2.0
September 07, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBGuests - Christina Belinksy and Sam Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 151 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we bring you back to one of the hottest topics in the dance industry today - lyrical vs contemporary. IDA judges and dance educators Christina Belinksy and Sam Quinn weigh in on this discussion. Topics Include: The evolution of the styles and what that means for the competitive dance world The importance of music selection in choosi...
Welcome to Season 5!
September 07, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Welcome to Season 5 of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast! In this opening episode, your hosts recap the highlights of the first four seasons, share some exciting updates, and give you a sneak peek of what's to come this season! Topics Include: Podcast cover art winners for Season 5 Fan favorite Making the Impact Award contest New Platinum Premium subscription perks Sneak peek on what's to come in S5! Help support our podcas...
Summer Bonus Episode! Live from The Muny with the Cast of West Side Story!
July 27, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBGuests - Yurel Echezarreta, Daniela Delahuerta, Tatiana Nuñez, Ethan Zeph, Macy McKown Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz In this special summer bonus episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, Courtney sits down to interview the cast of West Side Story during her time performing in the musical production this summer at the prestigious regional theatre The Muny located in St. Louis, MO. 5 cast members join her to chat all things dance, their careers as professional performers, the...
A Conversation on Plagiarism in the Dance Industry with Jason Williams and Jared Baker - Part 2
June 29, 2023 11:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBGuests: Jason Williams and Jared Baker Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Recorded on: June 15th, 2023 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Season 4 of Making The Impact wrapped on June 1st, 2023 but since then, there have been some important conversations making headlines in the dance community when it comes to stolen choreography. Dance educators and choreographers Jason Williams and Jared Baker recently spoke out on social media about discovering that their choreography has been stolen and r...
A Conversation on Plagiarism in the Dance Industry with Jason Williams and Jared Baker - Part 1
June 22, 2023 11:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBGuests: Jason Williams and Jared Baker Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Recorded on: June 15th, 2023 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Season 4 of Making The Impact wrapped on June 1st, 2023 but since then, there have been some important conversations making headlines in the dance community when it comes to stolen choreography. Dance educators and choreographers Jason Williams and Jared Baker recently spoke out on social media about discovering that their choreography has been stolen and r...
Season 4 Wrap Up!
June 01, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor Season 4 of Making the Impact is coming to an end, but in this episode, we take just a few minutes to share some exciting news and tell you a little about what's coming up in Season 5! Thank you to our loyal listeners for your support this season! 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 answere...
Spotlight Feature - Cost n' Mayor
June 01, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBGuests: Austin and Marideth Talenko - Cost n' Mayor Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Cost n' Mayor, the TikTok duo made up of the talented Austin and Marideth Talenko, join us today to share their unlikely journey to influencer fame! From unorthodox beginnings in the dance world to over 6 million followers on social media, this dancing couple is one you will be hearing about for years to come! Follow Cost n' Mayor on social media @cost_n_mayor and be sure to check out their upcom...
The 2023 Competition Season - Takeaways From your Judges
May 25, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 51.4 MBGuests - IDA Judges Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 147 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we asked you, our listeners, to choose the topic! The response was heard loud and clear - you want to hear from your judges what they loved, didn't love, and want to see more of from the 2023 competition season! Thanks to 10 of our IDA judges for contributing their thoughts to this episode. Topics Include: Performance tips Praise for unique and interesting...
How Studios Cast Dancers In Competitive Dance Routines
May 18, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBGuests - Pam Simpson and Glen Meynardie Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 146 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we get real with you about how studios cast dancers in competitive routines. Special guests Pam Simpson, a studio owner for 30 years, and Glen Meynardie, frequent guest choreographer and adjudicator give their insight about the casting process from their perspectives. Topics Include: The variety of ways studios cast their dancers and wh...
Special Awards - Recognizing More Than Just Your Score
May 11, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBGuests - Emily Branigan and Amanda Trusty Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 145 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judge and dance educators Emily Branigan and Amanda Trusty to tell you what judges really think of special awards. (Spoiler alert - we love them). Topics Include: The reasons we love special awards Why special awards often mean more than placement or overall awards Our favorite special awards to give dancers ...
Battling Body Image Issues in the Dance World
May 04, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBGuests - Katrena Cohea and Amanda LaCount Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 144 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we discuss the body image issues that affect dancers and suggest strategies for dance teachers and dance studios to develop a more holistic approach to discussing our bodies. Katrena Cohea and Amanda LaCount join us to help provide a variety of perspectives. Topics Include: How the dance industry has changed over time to reflect a vari...
Studio Spotlight - CCJ Conservatory
April 27, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBGuest: Dale Lam Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor CCJ Conservatory, formerly known as Columbia City Jazz, prides itself on producing well-rounded, versatile dancers. With over 35 years of experience, Artistic Director Dale Lam leads the studio in its mission and looks towards the future as the dance studio industry evolves. Follow CCJ Conservatory on social media @ccjconservatory and be sure to check out their upcoming projects. CCJ Conservatory's summer intensive is open to all...
Die Hard Dance Dads!
April 20, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBGuests - Dwayne Vincent Elliott, Kyle Fishbein, and Jamie Johnson Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 142 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by the three most die-hard dance dads we could find to share stories of their adventures in the competitive dance world. Dwayne, Kyle, and Jamie were chosen from over 50 nominations to be featured on this special episode! Topics Include: Why they love being a dance dad How they feel their studio ...
How To Avoid Burn Out During the Dance Season
April 13, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBGuests - Donielle Richmond and Kristi-Ann Phillips Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 141 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are talking about burnout - the perfect topic for the middle of comp season! Our guests share their strategies for combating burnout, as well as insight into how to help dancers. Topics Include: How to recognize burnout within yourself and your students How to manage your time effectively to avoid burnout Boundary setti...
Appropriateness of Choreography in Competitive Dance
April 06, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 52.9 MBGuests - Debbi Sampson and Tommy Scrivens Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 140 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are tackling the topic of appropriateness of choreography, from the subtle nuances we wish we would see to the outrageous things we do see on stage sometimes. Joining us for this discussion are IDA judges and dance educators Debbi Sampson and Tommy Scrivens. Topics Include: How inappropriate themes, music, and costumes all come int...
Spotlight Feature - Derek Mitchell
March 30, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.4 MBGuest: Derek Mitchell Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor Derek Mitchell has been a staple in the NYC dance scene for decades, teaching and inspiring dancers of all ages. His experience ranges from choreographing for SYTYCD Ukraine and the Knicks City Dancers to serving as Resident Choreographer of the 1st national tour of Hamilton. Nowadays you can find him traveling the country teaching on the convention circuit as well as in New York, where it all began! Follow Derek Mitchell on...
How To Brand Yourself As A Dancer
March 23, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 50 MBGuests - Justine Menter and Sam Quinn Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 138 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judge and publicist Sam Quinn and industry coach and dance educator Justine Menter join us to talk about the ins and outs of personal branding for dancers. Topics Include: What branding actually is in the dance industry today Best practices in social media branding How parents should be involved in their child's personal brand He...
I Want To Be a Rockette
March 16, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 50.3 MBGuests -Allyson Kelly and Paige Williams Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor In Episode 137 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two former Radio City Rockettes, Allyson Kelly and Paige Williams, to discuss their experience on the line, as well as how their competitive and non-competitive dance training informed their success in the precision dance world! Topics Include: Personal audition experiences Helpful advice for future Rockettes A look...