Guests - Michelle Leagans and Jessica OlinikHosted By - Courtney OrtizIn Episode 239 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we hear from two dance educators about the technique and power behind every great jumper! From tour jetés to switch leaps to flying discs, this episode covers your favorite jumps and leaps with helpful hints to take you to new heights!Topics Include: How to achieve maximum suspension in jumps and leaps The proper preparation for a variety of jumps and leaps Our favorite jumps and leaps to perform and to see on stageHelp support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:Monthly Q&A episodes released to members onlyPriority 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 MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup 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.ortizMichelle Leagans - @michelleleagansJessica Olinik - @jwodanceThis episode is sponsored by: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.comCheck out our service: IDA Online Judge's CritiquesSend 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! Check out our IDA Affiliated Competition and Sponsor: Axis Dance Competition! Visit their website to view their 2026 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.comSupport the show
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1:16:19
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1:16:19
Throwback! S4 EP 128 - Battling Stage Fright as a Performer
Guests - Caleb Dicke and Glenn KelichHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorThis throwback episode of Making the Impact takes us back to 2023 with a conversation about stage fright. Courtney and Lesley discuss their experiences with stage fright with two wonderful guests. Caleb Dicke, professional dancer and IDA judge, and Glenn Kelich, former professional dancer turned mental health professional, remind listeners that they're not alone in struggling with stage fright. This episode originally aired on January 12, 2023. Topics Include: Strategies for handling stage fright Personal experiences with stage fright How teachers and parents can help dancers combat performance anxietyHelp support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:Monthly Q&A episodes released to members onlyPriority 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 MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup 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.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceCaleb Dicke - @CalebDickeGlenn Kelich - @glennkelich, @thementalgameThis episode is sponsored by:Check out our service: IDA Online Judge's CritiquesSend 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 atwww.impactdanceadjudicators.comSupport the show
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58:13
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58:13
The Power of Performance Quality
Guests - Rayne Thiemann and Brionna TrillingHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 237 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we're exploring the ways facial expressions can inform performance quality in competitive dance. Joy, fear, sadness, curiosity and more can all be expressed through the face, and contribute to the success of a piece. IDA judges Rayne and Brionna share their tips and tricks for achieving the most honest and real performance quality in competitive dance. Topics Include: Why understanding the "why" is so important in dance The delicate balance between performing for the back of the house and being over the topHow to tap into genuine emotion when dancing at all agesHelp support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:Monthly Q&A episodes released to members onlyPriority 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 MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup 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.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceRayne Thiemann - @raynesharesalotBrionna Trilling - @brietrillsThis 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.comSupport the show
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1:15:10
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1:15:10
IDA Competition Spotlight - DECAdance Competition
Guest: Samantha O'NeilHosted by: Courtney Ortiz DECAdance Competition provides a totally unique competition and “un”convention experience, with genre-specific adjudicators, live music at their “un”convention, and complimentary meals for studio owners! On this week's episode of Making the Impact, Courtney sits down with DECAdance Competition owner Samantha Tirone O’Neil to learn more about this incredible company in our first IDA-affiliated Competition Spotlight! Products and services mentioned in this episode include:Omara Floors - sprung floors for dancersRelative Motion - structured, measurable training designed for both dancers and teachersLearn more about the Andrea Michaels Scholarship Help support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:Monthly Q&A episodes released to members onlyPriority to have your questions answered each month on the live Q&A.Ad-free listening for all of Season 4 - 7. No sponsored ads!20% off all IDA MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup 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:DECAdance Competition - IDA Affiliated CompetitionView their 2026 tour dates and register now!http://www.decdancecompetition.comFollow your Hosts & Guests!Courtney Ortiz - @courtney.ortizSamantha O'Neil - @decadancecompJoin 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.comSupport the show
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1:04:37
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1:04:37
What It Takes To Become a Dance Convention Assistant
Guests - Kiyah Rush, Megan Friedman, Brandi GeorgeHosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley MealorIn Episode 235 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, we are excited to learn more about the world of dance convention assistants. Studio owners Megan Friedman and Brandi George join us, along with professional assistant Kiyah Rush to give us the inside scoop on what it takes to land this type of opportunity!Topics Include: The benefits of being a student-level assistant What other opportunities exist for assistants besides being on stage What skill sets dancers should have before becoming an assistantHelp support our podcast! Join Making The Impact's Platinum Premium Subscription today! Your membership includes:Monthly Q&A episodes released to members onlyPriority 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 MerchandiseExclusive bonus content released throughout the yearDiscounted IDA Online CritiqueGroup 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.ortizLesley Mealor - @miss.lesley.danceKiyah Rush - @KiyahrushBrandi George - @bgeorge811Megan Friedman - @megfriedmanThe PAC Dance Studio - @thepacdancecoThis episode is sponsored by:YoungArtsApplications are open for the 2026 National YoungArts Competition, available for artists ages 15-18 or in grades 10-12. Deadline to apply is October 8th, 2025. Learn more at www.YoungArts.orgIDA 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.comSupport the show
About 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
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