Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast
Have 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 spotlight episodes, round table chats and so much more! Weekly episodes launch every Thursday throughout the dance season! @impactdanceadjudicators
Our Editor's Take
Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast is about competitive dance. Cohost Courtney Ortiz is a professional dancer, an educator, and the owner of Impact Dance Adjudicators. Cohost Lesley Mealor is also a dance competition judge and a veteran performer.
Courtney and Lesley speak with energy and enthusiasm. The podcast hosts talk about the "ridiculous expectations" of dance. They discuss topics like protecting dancer's physical safety. They also talk about the dos and don'ts of music editing for competitive dance.
In the podcast, Courtney and Lesley reflect on their own experiences as dancers. As judges, they also share their views on the competitive dance world. Some episodes may help people improve their understanding of dance terms. Listeners can expect to learn the difference between dance competitions and dance conventions. They can also discover what "lyrical" and "contemporary" dance styles involve.
Making The Impact includes "Studio Spotlights." In each spotlight episode, Courtney and Lesley interview dance studio owners like Mary Giattino. Mary owns Stage Door School of Dance in Long Island, New York. In one episode, two former Radio City Rockettes and the cast of West Side Story join the show. They share their real-life dance experiences.
The podcast explores some sensitive topics relating to competitive dance. In an episode with several guests, the hosts discuss abuse in the dance industry. In another conversation, they share experiences with stolen choreography and plagiarism in dance. The hosts also explore the topic of jealousy in the dance studio. These are some of the things dancers might encounter as they become more competitive in their careers.
Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast may appeal to dance enthusiasts. It might also interest people who want to learn more about the world of competitive dance. New episodes are available weekly on Thursdays during the competition season.
Episodes