Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

Guests - Melissa McGhee and Carsen Rowe
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

Our next throwback episode of Making the Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast brings back a fan favorite, with more dance team talk! Our guests share what it's like to be on a college dance team, what recruitment looks like, and ways to prep for auditions! This episode originally aired on December 1, 2022.

Topics Include:
 The differences and similarities in the training that goes into preparing for dance teams and other kinds of dance 
 Recruitment strategies and how to audition for a dance team
 Breaking down the circuits and divisions of dance teams for all ages

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
Carsen Rowe - @tribe99official, @carsen.rowe
 Melissa McGhee - @mmcghee65

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

Guests - Erin Alvarado and Kristin Daniel
Hosted By - Courtney Ortiz and Lesley Mealor

In Episode 259 of Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast, LSU Tiger Girls choreographer Kristin Daniel and Texas Tech dance team coach and dance faculty member Erin Alvarado school us on the similarities and differences between dancing at a studio and being a part of a dance team. 

Topics Include:
 How studio training can inform your college dance team experience
 The realities of college dance team training 
 Tips for the audition process

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
Erin Alvarado - @erinmalvarado
Kristin Daniel - @KristinDaniel

Check out some of the routines we mentioned in the episode!
Oops!...I Did It Again - Kristin Daniel choreo, LSU Jazz Finals 2026
Are You That Somebody - Kristin Danciel choreo, LSU 2024

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! 
 

IDA-affiliated competition 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

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

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

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