Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

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Guests - Josh Bergasse, Richard J. Hinds, Sarah Meahl

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 191 of Making The Impact—A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by some of the top choreographers in the industry whose choreography was stolen in a scandal that went viral this summer.

Topics Include:

• The details of how it was discovered that multiple choreographers' work was stolen and taught for profit in Spain
• What steps are being taken to raise awareness of the plagiarism problems that affect the dance industry
• How choreographers, dance teachers and dance organizations can help prevent plagiarism in the future

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 Season 4, 5 & 6. 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
• Josh Bergasse - @joshuabergasse
• Richard J. Hinds - @richardjhinds
• Sarah Meahl - @happymeahl

This episode is sponsored by:

Roots Dance Summit
A groundbreaking Educational & COMPETITIVE experience for studio communities. A three-day event beginning on Friday and ending on Sunday afternoon. Register now to attend an event in their 2025 premier season! 

YoungArts
Applications are open for the 2025 National YoungArts Competition, for artists ages 15-18 or in grades 10-12. Deadline to apply is October 17, 2024 at 8pm. Learn more at www.YoungArts.org

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

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Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Season 6 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is finally here! Listen as Courtney and Lesley recap their very busy summers, share some highlights of season 5, and give you a sneak peek into what's in store for season 6!

Topics Include:

•  Cover art contest winners for season 6
•  Making the Impact Award fan favorite contest winner
•  Upcoming episode topic teasers

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 Season 4, 5 & 6. 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!

• Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
• Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance

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

Send us Fan Mail

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

🌟 PLATINUM PREMIUM EXCLUSIVE! 🌟 Making the Impact Live at the Capezio Flagship Store in New York City! March 2024.

This is very special summer bonus episode from our very first ever LIVE Podcast event in New York City at the Capezio Flagship Store! This live event sponsored by Capezio was held in Times Square on Saturday, March 30th, 2024. We hosted a jazz class with over 40 dancers and our live podcast recording was completely SOLD OUT! We had dancers, parents, teachers and fans join us in person from around the world from Wisconsin, the tri-state and even Canada! Lots of dancers jumped up to ask us questions during the event and we loved connecting with so many fans during our meet and mingle post recording. Thank you to everyone who came through to support us in person in New York City and shoutout to all of the sponsors who helped make this day possible. Stay tuned for more LIVE Podcast Events announced soon! Until then, enjoy this sneak peek into our exclusive Platinum Premium subscription episode.

Thank you to CAPEZIO for sponsoring this event and hosting us at their Flagship Store in New York! Special shoutout to Suja and Poppi for additional sponsorship, Brittany Pace at Keeping Pace Productions for filming.

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 Season 4 & 5. 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
• Impact Dance Adjudicators @impactdanceadjudicators

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

Send us Fan Mail

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Season 5 of Making the Impact might be over, but we have some fun things in store for you this summer and next season! Thank you for listening and supporting our podcast, and we can't wait for season 6! Mark your calendars - Season 6 launches Thursday, September 5th, 2024!

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 Season 4 & 5. 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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Guests - IDA Judges

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 190 of Making the Impact, we hear from IDA judges around the country about the highs and lows of the 2024 competition season!

Topics Include:

• Favorite themes at competition
• Technique issues
• Music choices
• Choreography trends

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 Season 4 & 5. 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!

• Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
• Lesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.dance

This episode is sponsored by:

Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!

Lilly Lashes
Top quality, multi-dimensional, reusable eyelashes! 
Use code IMPACT20 in all caps at checkout to receive 20% off every order!

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

Send us Fan Mail

Guests - Joshua Dawson, Mary Hondal and Laci Justice

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 189 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear straight from dancers in three college dance programs - Pace University, University of Alabama, and Point Park University - about what life is like as a dance major! 

Topics Include:

•  How each program is structured
•  What each dancer wishes they knew before entering their program
•  How their competitive dance career prepared them for college dance
•  Best advice for upcoming college dance majors

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 Season 4 & 5. 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
• Joshua Dawson - @mr.broadway
• Mary Hondal - @maryselene_
• Laci Justice - @lacijustice

This episode is sponsored by:

Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!

Lilly Lashes
Top quality, multi-dimensional, reusable eyelashes! 
Use code IMPACT20 in all caps at checkout to receive 20% off every order!

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

Send us Fan Mail

Guests - Suzanne Citere and Amanda Nicole DiTullio

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 188 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, studio owner Suzanne Citere and dance educator and IDA judge Amanda Nicole DiTullio sit down to discuss the pros and cons of using in-house choreographers versus hiring outside choreographers for your dancers. 

Topics Include:

• Best practices for hiring outside choreographers and being hired as an outside choreographer 
•  Why it may serve your studio better to use in-house choreographers
•  How to use guest choreographers but also be cost-conscious

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 Season 4 & 5. 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
• Suzanne Citere - @suzannecitere, @realdancelhp
• Amanda Nicole DiTullio - @AmandaNicole_D

This episode is sponsored by:

Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!

Lilly Lashes
Top quality, multi-dimensional, reusable eyelashes!
Use code IMPACT20 in all caps at checkout to receive 20% off every order!

Relative Motion - Injury Prevention apparel, teacher trainings and in-studio workshops to transform your technique while preventing injuries.
Receive 10 % off any apparel/program purchase or $500 off workshop pricing with the code: IMPACT10
Click here to register for their Total Technique Teacher Training Academy! 

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

Send us Fan Mail

Guest: Justin Johnson

Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor

Beyond Belief Dance Company out of Mesquite, Texas, is known for its incredible performance quality, high level of commitment, and unique choreographic concepts. Owned and operated by Justin Johnson (who you may also know as his drag persona, Alyssa Edwards), Beyond Belief Dance Company strives to give the best instruction to each individual student that walks through the door!

Follow Beyond Belief Dance Company on Instagram @beyondbeliefdancecompany and be sure to check out their upcoming projects.

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 Season 4 & 5. 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!

This episode is sponsored by:

Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!


Lilly Lashes
Top quality, multi-dimensional, reusable eyelashes! 
Use code IMPACT20 in all caps at checkout to receive 20% off every order!

Follow your Hosts & Guests!

• Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
• Lesley Mealor  - @miss.lesley.dance
• Justin Johnson - @beyondbeliefdancecompany

Join our NEW 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 us on social media at @impactdanceadjudicators and for a list of IDA Affiliated dance competitions, visit our website at www.impactdanceadjudicators.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Guests - Menina Fortunato and Sissa Strain

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 186 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, industry professionals Menina Fortunato and Sissa Strain give us their best advice for dancers making the transition from the competitive world to the professional world.

Topics Include:

•  Things that make you stand out as a beginner in the industry
•  Why networking is so important at the start of your career
•  How to navigate the feast or famine nature of a professional dance career

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 Season 4 & 5. 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
• Menina Fortunato - @meninafortunato
• Sissa Strain - @sissa.strain

Check out our guest’s current projects! 

• Sissa Strain teaches weekly classes at Broadway Dance Center!
• Commercial Dance Intensive Summer Program - July 14-27 in Nashville, TN.
• Learn more about Menina's Mentoring Platform and listen to her podcast The Business of Dance!

This episode is sponsored by:

Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar!

Apolla Performance
The benefit of a shoe + the comfort of a sock. Try Apolla Shocks and use code IMPACT10 for 10% off at checkout!

Lilly Lashes
Top quality, multi-dimensional, reusable eyelashes! 
Use code IMPACT20 in all caps at checkout to receive 20% off your order!

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. 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Guests - Deborah Engerman and Jim Nowakowski

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 185 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, two seasoned ballet educators join us to discuss all things ballet, from the relevance of a dress code to what they think is missing in the ballet training of competitive dancers!

Topics Include:

•  Why the dress code still matters in ballet
•  Things that are missing from the ballet training of competitive dancers
•  A teaser of pointe readiness - stay tuned for a full episode next 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 answered each month on the live Q&A.
• Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 & 5. 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
• Deborah Engerman - @deborahengerman_balletteacher
• Jim Nowakowski - @jimnowakowski

Check out our guest’s current projects! 

Find Deborah's book, Let's Talk About Fifth: Teaching Ballet in the 21st Century, wherever you buy books - or purchase it at the link above!

This episode is sponsored by:

Francisco Gella Dance Works - Season 5 Premier Sponsor!
Educational and developmental programs, intensives, and seminars designed to empower students, parents, educators, and artists.
Register now for an upcoming intensive, workshop or seminar! 

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