Guests - Kate Pagano and Andrew Wilson

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 217 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we take a look at what it's like to recover from a dance injury. Guests Kate Pagano and Andrew Wilson, alongside your hosts Courtney and Lesley, share their personal experiences and advice for how to cope with an injury both mentally and physically. 

Topics Include:

• How to stay motivated while you are injured
• What changes might occur in your relationship to dance while you are injured
• What kind of support is needed when recovering from an injury

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, 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
• Kate Pagano - @itskatethegr8
• Andrew Wilson - @andrewwilsonny

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Dance Teacher Web Conference and Expo. 
This summer July 22nd-25th in Las Vegas, NV! 
140+ master classes, seminars, events, & more for continuing education and networking in the dance community! 
Use code: IMPACT50 for 50% off! 

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

Guests - Casey Carruthers and Amanda LaMotte

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 216 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are discussing the sacrifices that must be made to succeed as a dance industry professional. From lifestyle sacrifices to personal sacrifices, your hosts and guests get real about what it actually takes, and whether or not it was worth it (spoiler alert - it was). 

Topics Include:

•  The struggles many dancers go through just to get to auditions
•  The balance between having a life and having a career
•  The importance of having support from your family and friends

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, 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
• Casey Carruthers - @casey_carruthers
• Amanda LaMotte - @tinylamotte

This episode is sponsored by:

Dance Teacher Web Conference and Expo.
This summer July 22nd-25th in Las Vegas, NV! 
140+ master classes, seminars, events, & more for continuing education and networking in the dance community! 
Use code: IMPACT50 for 50% off! 

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

Guests - Joseph Corella and Alex Frohlinger

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 215 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're chatting about first and final impressions when performing on a competitive stage! Entrances and exits may seem small, but our guests are here to tell you why they make a big difference!

Topics Include:

•  Choreographed vs unchoreographed entrances and exits
•  Why both entrances and exits matter to the overall feel of your dance
•  The importance of teaching dancers to bow

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, 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
• Joseph Corella - @josephcorella5678
• Alex Frohlinger - @alexfrohlinger

This episode is sponsored by:

Dance Teacher Web Conference and Expo
This summer July 22nd-25th in Las Vegas, NV! 
140+ master classes, seminars, events, & more for continuing education and networking in the dance community! 
Use code: IMPACT50 for 50% off!

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 10-15 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!

Check out IDA Affiliated Dance Competition The Artistry Tour!
Visit their website to register for a 2025 event!

 

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

Guests - Lori Fields and Andrea Zerilli

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 214 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we chat with two dance educators who have had the unique experience of having their own children (and in Lori's case, her grandchildren!) as students in the dance studio! 

Topics Include:

•  If favoritism is really a thing when your child is on the team
•  Challenges faced by dance teachers who teach their own children
•  Advice for other dance teachers with their own kids in class 

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, 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
• Andrea Zerilli - @glamour_by_andrea
• Lori Fields - @Darronlori

This episode is sponsored by:

Squirrel Trench Audio
Stage-ready soundtracks for Choreographers
Explore hundreds of clean, stage-ready song edits, mixes, and production mixes. Custom song editing for Competition! 

Dance Teacher Web Conference and Expo 
This summer July 22nd-25th in Las Vegas, NV! 
140+ master classes, seminars, events, & more for continuing education and networking in the dance community! 
Use code: IMPACT50 for 50% off! 

Check out IDA Affiliated Competition True Dance Challenge!

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

Guests - Miranda Spada and Kyrie Kowalik

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 213 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we discuss some of the behind the scenes etiquette that is expected from dancers, parents, and audience members at competition with IDA judges and dance educators Miranda Spada and Kyrie Kowalik.

Topics Include:

•  the "why" behind some dressing room etiquette rules
•  backstage etiquette tips to remember
•  unexpected rules for the dressing room

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, 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
• Miranda Spada - @mirandarosespada
• Kyrie Kowalik - @Annekyrie

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 10-15 minutes of additional feedback. 24 hour rush delivery available!
Submit your video now!

Check out our IDA Affiliated Competition and Sponsor: Just Dance Invitational 
 

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

Guests - Crystal Mann-Hollinger and Jody Reynard

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 212 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, diversity and representation take center stage as we discuss why it's so important to have a well-rounded judging panel.

Topics Include:

• The different kinds of diversity we should see on a panel of judges - style specialty, gender, age, race, and background
• What it's like to feel un or under-represented in dance
• What having a diverse panel of judges can offer to all dancers

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
• Crystal Mann-Hollinger - @crissy930
• Jody Reynard - @otherblkguy

This episode is sponsored by:

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


Francisco Gella Dance Works
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

Guests: Angela Carter and Caleb Teicher

Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor

In the second Genre Spotlight episode of Season 6, we are joined by two tap dance professionals to get specific about rhythm tap (if there were such a thing). Tune in to hear more about that caveat!

Topics Include:

• Why there might feel like there is a difference between tap styles
• What judge or audience expectations there might be when attending a regular dance competition with a tap dance
• Why tap dance sometimes gets the short end of the stick in dance training

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!

Check out our guest's upcoming projects:

• Find out when Caleb is performing next on their website: www.calebteicher.net
• Learn more about Andrea's tap intensive Tap Into The Network

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Capezio
Get a free “Everyday Dance Duffle” bag with any purchase. To redeem, add the Everyday Dance Duffle style #B246 to your cart and use code IMPACT at checkout, while supplies last.

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! 

Follow your Hosts & Guests!

• Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortiz
• Lesley Mealor  - @miss.lesley.dance
• Angela Carter - @angelacarter.co
• Caleb Teicher - @CalebTeicher

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

Guests - Emily Williams, Robb Gibbs

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 210 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by IDA judge Robb Gibbs and mindset coach Emily Williams to bring back a popular and important topic in the dance world - winning and losing. Both are bound to happen for all dancers, so how can you prepare for each scenario to win or lose gracefully?

Topics Include:

•  How losing can be a motivator
•  The role of parents, teachers, and coaches in cultivating a healthy mindset around winning and losing
•  Advice for dancers looking to change their thinking about winning and losing

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, 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
• Emily Williams - @championmindsetconsultingllc
• Robb Gibbs - @robb.gibbs

Check out our guest’s current projects! 

Find more information about Champion Mindset Coaching and how Emily can help your dancer or gymnast at www.ChampionMindsetConsulting.com

This episode is sponsored by:

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


Check out IDA-affiliated competition Elevation on Tour! Visit their website to find a date near you at www.elevationontour.com


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.

Support the show

Guests - Melanie Brooke Durham, Troy Haywood

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 209 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we take a journey around the United States to discover the differences we see in each region at competition, and chat about how those differences can impact scoring, perception, and more!

Topics Include:

• Why regional differences still seem to exist even in our global, connected world
• Styles that are more prevalent in different parts of the country
• What we would love to see each region borrow from other regions

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
• Melanie Brooke Durham - ms_melanie5678
• Troy Haywood - @thetroyhaywood

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Michelle Leagans's "Hey Dancers...Let's Talk About It!" Journal.
A journaling companion for dancers to thrive as students and team members.
Available for purchase on Amazon!
www.letstalkaboutdance.com


Check out IDA Affiliated Competition Gems Dance Competition!
View their 2025 tour dates and register now at www.dancegems.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

Guests - Gene Biscontini, Marina Stacey

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 208 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we chat about what it's like to have one of the most unique jobs in the dance industry - working for a cruise line! Our guests have years of experience performing on the high seas, and we can't wait to give you the ins and outs of a day in the life of a cruise ship dancer!

Topics Include:

•  Cruise ship auditions and how to book the job
•  The types of dance training you will need to work on a cruise ship
•  Day to day life at sea while on contract

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 4,5 & 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
• Gene Biscontini - @gdbisco
• Marina Stacey - @mstacey56

This episode is sponsored by:

Francisco Gella Dance Works
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 your order!


Check out our IDA Affiliated Competition and Sponsor: Axis Dance Competition! Visit their website to view their 2024 Tour Dates!


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