Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

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Guests: Brie Peña & Kristina Cross

Hosted by Courtney Ortiz

IDA affiliated-competition Elevation on Tour leads with integrity and innovation, but most of all, a heart for being of service to dancers, teachers, and families. Owners Brie Peña and Kristina Cross sit down today with Courtney to share more about what makes Elevation on Tour's competitions and conventions so special!

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:

IDA Affiliated Competition - Elevation On Tour!
View their upcoming 2026 Tour Dates on their website!

Follow your Hosts & Guests!

• Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
• Lesley Mealor  - @miss.lesley.dance
• Elevation on Tour - @elevationontour

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 - Brittany Sprung and Giovanni Allen

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 257 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're discussing how to keep artistry at the forefront of competitive dance choreography in an arena where it can sometimes feel like tricks have overtaken the stage. 

Topics Include:

•  The creative process and tips for choreographers of all ages and levels
•  What aspects of artistry the judges are looking for on stage
•  How to help your students develop their own creative and artistic voice

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
• Brittany Sprung - @bsprung514
• Giovanni Allen - @Giovannicallen, @Groundworksdanceco

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 event Uproar Dance Competition! Visit their website for more info on their 2026 season!

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 - Kate Biernat and Krysten Danielle

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Our next throwback episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast takes us back in time to 2024 for a conversation about the mini dancers who peak too early. Judges and educators Kate Biernat and Krysten Danielle share their experiences with the tiniest talented dancers in a chat that still holds relevance today, as dancers continue training at increasingly higher levels and younger ages. This episode originally aired on February 29, 2024.

Topics Include:

• Typical weekly schedule for high-achieving minis 
• What happens when minis have to dance with an older age group due to their abilities
• How to avoid the burnout that comes with over-training at a young age

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
• Kate Biernat - @kateemily5
• Krysten Danielle - @mskrystendance

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! 

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 - Carlos de Barros and Krystal Madan

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 255 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges and dance educators Carlos de Barros and Krystal Madan join us for a discussion about the junior and teen divisions. Without the right support and guidance, the transition from junior to teen can be challenging. Today, we chat about the best ways to guide young dancers through this journey!

Topics Include:

•  What separates the dancers in the junior division from the ones who evolve and grow from the ones who plateau
•  Why consistency is key for this age group to progress
•  How teachers and studio owners can support dancers in this age group both inside and outside the studio

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
• Carlos de Barros - @carlosdebarros513
• Krystal Madan - @choreo_by_k

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

Send us Fan Mail

Guests - Amanda Nicole DiTullio and Daniel Longo

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Our next throwback episode takes us back to Season 4 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, with one of our most popular episodes about triggering and sensitive topics on stage. Judges Amanda Nicole DiTullio and Daniel Longo share their insights from behind the table in this important conversation. This episode originally aired on September 15, 2022.

*Trigger Warning - this conversation mentions suicide, self-harm, and trauma. Listen with care.*

Topics Include:

•  Possible reasons why choreographers are putting more and more triggering statement pieces on stage
• Options for subject matter for choreographers to consider other than triggering and traumatic events 
• Ways that we as judges can express our opinion on the mic in a manner that will be received by a choreographer

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
• Amanda Nicole DiTullio - @amandanicole_d
• Daniel Longo - @dslongo1

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! 

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 253 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, IDA judges from across the country chime in to give listeners the inside scoop on what they want to see at competition this season - from choreography to costumes and everything in between!

Topics Include:

•  Transitions, transitions, transitions!
•  Why musicality can make or break your score
•  Teamwork on and off stage - judges see it all

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

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 our IDA Affiliated Competition - High Demand Dance Competition
Visit their website to view 2026 Season Tour Dates! 

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: Jamie Hodgins and Rebecca Brettingham-Filice

Hosted by: Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor

The International Competitive Dancer Registry, or ICDR, is a new organization that aims to protect, verify, and safeguard competitive dancers' personal information. Today on Making the Impact, we are joined by Executive Director of the ICDR, Jamie Hodgins, and studio owner and advisor Rebecca Brettingham-Filice to learn more about what the ICDR stands for and how dancers, studio owners, and parents can get involved!

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!

This episode is sponsored by:

International Competitive Dancer Registry - Safe. Fair. Verified. 

Follow your Hosts & Guests!

• Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
• Lesley Mealor  - @miss.lesley.dance
• Jamie Hodgins - @jamie_hodgins
• Rebecca Brettingham-Filice - @mindfuldancers_
• ICDR - @icdr.dance

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 - Jonathan & Oksana Platero

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 251 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, professional dancers and educators Jonathan and Oksana Platero share their extensive experience with partnering and lifts. From stints on So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars, and Strictly Come Dancing, as well as years of teaching on the convention circuit, these two bring both performer and educator perspectives to the conversation!

Topics Include:

• The responsibilities of both the leader and the follower in partnering
• How to help dancers develop trust and confidence in each other for lifts
• The most misunderstood parts of lifting and being lifted in 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
• Jonathan Platero - @jonplaterodude
• Oksana Platero - @oksanaplatero

Check out our guest’s current projects! 

Blood Love - A Vampire Pop Opera - get tickets for Jonathan and Oksana's new off-Broadway musical running from February 13-March 29!

This episode is sponsored by:

Check out IDA Affiliated Dance Competition The Artistry Tour!
Visit their website to register for a 2026 event!

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! 

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! 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Guests - Halle Mastroberardino and Donna Michelle Vaughn

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor



Our throwback episode of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast covers the many ways things can go wrong at a live dance performance, from costume malfunctions to dropped props and more! Joining us for this discussion are professional dancers and IDA judges Halle Mastroberardino and Donna Michelle Vaughn to give you some tips and tricks to salvage any mishaps that might happen on stage! This episode originally aired on November 17, 2022.




Topics Include:

•  Best practices for a dropped prop
•  The one time you MUST leave stage when something goes wrong
•  How to avoid costume mishaps before they happen

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
• Halle Mastroberardino - @hallemastroberardino
• Donna Michelle Vaughn - @Slimglam_d
  
  
  

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!
 

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 - Brion Marquis Watson and Cassidy Noblett

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 249 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our "day in the life" series continues with a job most dancers dream of - being on tour! Broadway touring dancer Brion Marquis Watson and veteran of commercial touring, Cassidy Noblett, join us today to give us their perspectives on the tour life! 

Topics Include:

•  The challenging parts of being on tour, both physical and emotional
•  The differences in touring with an artist compared to touring with a musical
•  What a typical schedule is like for each type of tour

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
• Brion Waston - @brion_marquis
• Cassidy Noblett - @thumperduce

Check out our guests' current projects! 

• Find Brion on tour with MJ The Musical!
• Catch Cassidy in the new Michael Jackson movie coming out in April 2026!

This episode is sponsored by:

IDA Affiliated Competition - Elevation On Tour!
View their upcoming 2026 tour dates on their website!

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