Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Guests - IDA Judges

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 230 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we invited our IDA judges to chime in with their takeaways from the 2025 competition season. These judges have seen it all, from coast to coast, and this season did not disappoint! 

Topics Include:

•  What your judges LOVED seeing on stage this season
•  Headsprings - the go-to skill of 2025
•  ...

Guest: Peter Chu

Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor

Contemporary dance is a genre that can be hard to define, but what everyone can agree on is that it is one of the most popular styles of dance in the industry. Peter Chu joins us on our final genre spotlight episode of season 6 to discuss the ways contemporary dance has evolved and why it will take ongoing support from the community to allow it to continue. 

Follo...

Guests - Gregory Kanelos and Jenny Hogan

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 228 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our "day in the life" series continues with a look into studio owner life! We hear from two different perspectives - Jenny Hogan, owner of Brava Dance in New York for 16 years, and Gregory Kanelos, owner of Studio G Dance Company in Massachusetts, celebrating their 5th...

Guests - Kasie Auten and Brittni Johnson

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 227 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we explore how and why dancers are susceptible to a perfectionist mindset, and discuss how to use those traits to your advantage while also staying grounded.

Topics Include:

•  Strategies to focus on progress rather than perfection
•  How studio culture can be a factor in...

Guests - Joey Ortolani and listener submissions 

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 226 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we invited our listeners to share their experiences with toxic behaviors they've encountered at dance studios. We hear (anonymously!) from dance teachers, dance parents, and dance studio owners the things to look out for that may make your dance experience less than...

Guests - Sally Cofield, Krysten Danielle

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 225 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're joined by two IDA judges to spill the tea on the hot topic of perfect scores in competitive dance!

Topics Include:

•  Are judges even allowed to give a perfect score?
•  What goes into considering giving a perfect score - technique, performance, or more?
•  The be...

Guests - Ty Riley and Britney Barber

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 224 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're debating the pros and cons of two types of dance convention experiences - intimate, in-house conventions and large-scale, big-name dance conventions. Owner of Streetz Dance Convention, Ty Riley, and studio owner Britney Barber join us to give their unique perspectives!

Guests - Mandy Yip and Malece Miller

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 223 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are joined by two amazing acro specialists, professional dancer and educator Malece Miller, and founder of Acrobatic Arts, Mandy Yip, to discuss how to keep the artistry in acro dance. 

Topics Include:

• A brief history of acro and acro-dance 
• Why safety is the primary c...

Guests - Erin Marino

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 222 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, industry professional Erin Marino shares her insight about how to craft a reel that best represents you! Casting directors, agents, and choreographers look to a dance reel or video footage to find out anything from your personality to your technical ability. Having a cohesive and professional dance...

Guests - Leslie Scott Zanovitch and Dr. Christina "Dr. T." Donaldson

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 221 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are shining a light on an uncomfortable topic - the over-sexualization of kids in the competitive dance world. Please take care when listening, and screen this episode before listening with children.

Topics Include:

•  What coun...

Guests - IDA Judges

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 220 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we devote a full episode to the conversation that seems to never end in the competitive dance world - to wear two shoes, one shoe, or no shoes? Our IDA judges chime in with their thoughts and we (try to) look at the opposing point of view!

Topics Include:

•  The variety of reasons to wear ...

Guests: Bonita "Bgirl Bonita" Saldana and London "Bboy London" Reyes

Hosted by Courtney Ortiz & Lesley Mealor

Our Genre Spotlight series continues with a conversation about the history, culture, and importance of breaking. Our guests are two giants in the field - Bgirl Bonita, studio owner and Team USA Breaking Olympic coach, and Bboy London, member of the NYC Breakers and breaking expert.

Follow Bgir...

Guests - Jessica Butler and Madeline Massingill

Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 218 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, our "Day in the Life" series continues with a deep dive into the world of NFL cheerleading! These talented performers share what it's like to represent some of the country's biggest teams, and how they got there!

Topics Include:

•  The auditi...

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:

• Ho...

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). 

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 ex...

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 ...

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 etiquett...

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 backgro...