There are some episodes that stay with you long after the mic is turned off—and this was one of them. In this deeply personal conversation, I sat down with someone I’ve known since she was little: Cameron Suckle.
Episodes
Rhinestones and Rants Launch Date!
When:
Where: Wherever you get your podcasts
Join us for our debut episode of Rhinestones and Rants! Episode 1:
Plie or Runaway? How to find the 'Perfect' Dance Studio
What you will hear:
In the first episode of Rhinestones & Rants: Plie or Runaway? How to find the 'Perfect' Studio, we discuss the essential decisions and challenges dance parents face when choosing a studio for their children.
Plie or Runaway? How to find the 'Perfect' Dance Studio
What you will hear:
In the first episode of Rhinestones & Rants: Plie or Runaway? How to find the 'Perfect' Studio, we discuss the essential decisions and challenges dance parents face when choosing a studio for their children.
Welcome to Rhinestones &Rants
I'm Alyssa Better and Welcome to Rhinestones & Rants, where the glitz of the dance world meets the real talk of industry and a dance mom who lived it every day. This podcast isn’t just about perfect pirouettes and dazzling costumes, it’s about the raw, unfiltered journey of raising dancers, navigating the competitive scene, and balancing the chaos of life beyond the studio
Episode 1:
Plie or Runaway? How to Choose the 'Perfect' Dance Studio
Plie or Runaway? How to Choose the 'Perfect' Dance Studio
In the first episode of Rhinestones & Rants: Plie or Runaway? How to Choose the 'Perfect' Studio, we discuss the essential decisions and challenges dance parents face when choosing a studio for their children.
Our guest, Victoria 'Vicky' Inger, shares her experiences as a dance mom and entrepreneur from Los Angeles. With a background in maternity clothing and over a decade in the competitive dance world, Vicky provides insights into the highs, lows, and the substantial investments involved.
Join us for an honest conversation on the quest for the perfect studio, the importance of alignment with personal values, and lessons learned along the way.
About Victoria 'Vicky' Inger:
Victoria ‘Vicky’ Inger, is a Los Angeles based entrepreneur,
devoted wife of 25 years, and a proud mother of two: Anya and Nikita.
For a decade, she co-owned a successful maternity clothing line, but for the past 11 years, she has been fully immersed in the world of competitive dance as a dedicated dance mom. What started as a childhood love for dance led Vicky to eagerly place her daughter, Anya, in that first pink tutu. From there, she dove headfirst into the competitive dance world, doing whatever it took to win, until she realized she was chasing the wrong thing.
Vicky has seen it all, the highs, the heartbreaks, and the behind-the-scenes chaos. She and I have walked this journey together, navigating the madness of competitive dance with strong opinions and even stronger friendships. I couldn’t think of a better guest for my first Rhinestones and Rants episode as we reflect on how we started, what we’ve learned and where we stand now.
Our guest, Victoria 'Vicky' Inger, shares her experiences as a dance mom and entrepreneur from Los Angeles. With a background in maternity clothing and over a decade in the competitive dance world, Vicky provides insights into the highs, lows, and the substantial investments involved.
Join us for an honest conversation on the quest for the perfect studio, the importance of alignment with personal values, and lessons learned along the way.
About Victoria 'Vicky' Inger:
Victoria ‘Vicky’ Inger, is a Los Angeles based entrepreneur,
devoted wife of 25 years, and a proud mother of two: Anya and Nikita.
For a decade, she co-owned a successful maternity clothing line, but for the past 11 years, she has been fully immersed in the world of competitive dance as a dedicated dance mom. What started as a childhood love for dance led Vicky to eagerly place her daughter, Anya, in that first pink tutu. From there, she dove headfirst into the competitive dance world, doing whatever it took to win, until she realized she was chasing the wrong thing.
Vicky has seen it all, the highs, the heartbreaks, and the behind-the-scenes chaos. She and I have walked this journey together, navigating the madness of competitive dance with strong opinions and even stronger friendships. I couldn’t think of a better guest for my first Rhinestones and Rants episode as we reflect on how we started, what we’ve learned and where we stand now.
Episode 2: Behind the Curtain: A Candid Conversation with Prior Studio Owner Maia Suckle
When does a dancer know it’s time to step off the stage and step into leadership? For Maia Suckle, it wasn’t a single moment, it was a series of quiet nudges, hard lessons, and one powerful push over the edge that led her to open her own dance studio.
In this week’s episode of Rhinestones and Rants, I sat down with Maia for an incredible, no-holds-barred conversation about her journey from professional dancer to studio owner and everything she’s learned along the way. Spoiler: It’s not as glamorous as it looks from the outside.
About Maia Suckle:
A native of Washington D.C., Maia started her dance training with the renowned Maryland Youth Ballet under the direction of Hortensia Fonseca where she toured with Susan Jaffe, Risa Gary, and Roger Plaut in Costa Rica, Guatalamala, and Panama. She also performed with the New York City Ballet at the Kennedy Center under the direction of Balanchine.
While attending UCLA, Maia received a scholarship to the acclaimed Dupree Dance Academy where she studied under Doug Caldwell, Jackie Sleight, Michael Rooney, Helene Phillips, Billy Goodson, and Bill Prudich. She then secured dance, commercial, and theatrical representation with Julie McDonald (now MSA) to which she immediately turned professional and began working in TV, Film, and Stage, with such choreographers as Bill and Jackie Landrom, Vince Patterson, and Kenny Ortega. She also collaborated with the legendary author, Ray Bradbury, on his original musical, “The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit” at the Pasadena Playhouse.
One of Maia’s most memorable experiences was being selected to assist Tony and Emmy award winning choreographer Joe Layton on the Twentieth Century Fox film FOR THE BOYS, starring Bette Midler and James Caan. She privately coached Ms. Midler and Mr. Caan, which then led to being cast along side them in a co-starring role as “Janie Perkins”. After this experience, the acting bug bit and for the next 10 years Maia
guest starred in numerous TV episodic and sitcoms, while also appearing in dozens of national and regional commercials.
Maia then turned to working behind the scenes both in film casting (with Risa Bramen Garcia, Randi Hiller, and Sara Haley Finn) and then for film producer, Charles Roven at Atlas
Entertainment (Scooby Doo, The Dark Knight, Wonder Woman, American Hustle, and many more) Here Maia learned all facets of the film business. She also met her husband, Richard
Suckle, then the president of Atlas Entertainment. Although loving the entertainment business, Maia finally chose to retire and start a family.
After a decade of family life, Maia decided to return to her roots and combine her dance and entertainment industry experience and open a pre professional, competitive dance academy.
During Covid and only 2 years in the studio proved to not only thrive but rise to the top in the competitive city of Los Angeles.
She is the proud mom of a 22 year old daughter and 19 year old son.
In this week’s episode of Rhinestones and Rants, I sat down with Maia for an incredible, no-holds-barred conversation about her journey from professional dancer to studio owner and everything she’s learned along the way. Spoiler: It’s not as glamorous as it looks from the outside.
About Maia Suckle:
A native of Washington D.C., Maia started her dance training with the renowned Maryland Youth Ballet under the direction of Hortensia Fonseca where she toured with Susan Jaffe, Risa Gary, and Roger Plaut in Costa Rica, Guatalamala, and Panama. She also performed with the New York City Ballet at the Kennedy Center under the direction of Balanchine.
While attending UCLA, Maia received a scholarship to the acclaimed Dupree Dance Academy where she studied under Doug Caldwell, Jackie Sleight, Michael Rooney, Helene Phillips, Billy Goodson, and Bill Prudich. She then secured dance, commercial, and theatrical representation with Julie McDonald (now MSA) to which she immediately turned professional and began working in TV, Film, and Stage, with such choreographers as Bill and Jackie Landrom, Vince Patterson, and Kenny Ortega. She also collaborated with the legendary author, Ray Bradbury, on his original musical, “The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit” at the Pasadena Playhouse.
One of Maia’s most memorable experiences was being selected to assist Tony and Emmy award winning choreographer Joe Layton on the Twentieth Century Fox film FOR THE BOYS, starring Bette Midler and James Caan. She privately coached Ms. Midler and Mr. Caan, which then led to being cast along side them in a co-starring role as “Janie Perkins”. After this experience, the acting bug bit and for the next 10 years Maia
guest starred in numerous TV episodic and sitcoms, while also appearing in dozens of national and regional commercials.
Maia then turned to working behind the scenes both in film casting (with Risa Bramen Garcia, Randi Hiller, and Sara Haley Finn) and then for film producer, Charles Roven at Atlas
Entertainment (Scooby Doo, The Dark Knight, Wonder Woman, American Hustle, and many more) Here Maia learned all facets of the film business. She also met her husband, Richard
Suckle, then the president of Atlas Entertainment. Although loving the entertainment business, Maia finally chose to retire and start a family.
After a decade of family life, Maia decided to return to her roots and combine her dance and entertainment industry experience and open a pre professional, competitive dance academy.
During Covid and only 2 years in the studio proved to not only thrive but rise to the top in the competitive city of Los Angeles.
She is the proud mom of a 22 year old daughter and 19 year old son.
Episode 3: A Dance Daughter’s Journey: In Time with Cameron Suckle
There are some episodes that stay with you long after the mic is turned off—and this was one of them. In this deeply personal conversation, I sat down with someone I’ve known since she was little: Cameron Suckle.
Cameron just graduated with her BFA in Dance from UT Austin, and watching her grow into the powerhouse she is today has been nothing short of inspiring. But her journey wasn’t an easy one.
About Cameron:
A native of Los Angeles, California, Cameron Suckle began her dance journey at the age of two, receiving the majority of her foundational training at The Industry Dance Academy. Her extensive background encompasses mastery in all competition styles, including, but not limited to, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, tap, and ballroom.
She further honed her expertise at The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Dance, a testament to her academic dedication to the art form. Complementing her artistic degree, she also pursued a minor in Arts Management and Administration, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of both the creative and operational aspects of the dance world.
With 7 years of teaching experience, her profound passion lies in creating safe and inclusive spaces where every child feels empowered to express their full selves. She is dedicated to fostering an environment where young dancers can not only thrive artistically but also build unwavering confidence through movement and authentic self-expression.
Check out Cameron's website: https://camsuckle.wixsite.com/my-site-7
Cameron just graduated with her BFA in Dance from UT Austin, and watching her grow into the powerhouse she is today has been nothing short of inspiring. But her journey wasn’t an easy one.
About Cameron:
A native of Los Angeles, California, Cameron Suckle began her dance journey at the age of two, receiving the majority of her foundational training at The Industry Dance Academy. Her extensive background encompasses mastery in all competition styles, including, but not limited to, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, tap, and ballroom.
She further honed her expertise at The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Dance, a testament to her academic dedication to the art form. Complementing her artistic degree, she also pursued a minor in Arts Management and Administration, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of both the creative and operational aspects of the dance world.
With 7 years of teaching experience, her profound passion lies in creating safe and inclusive spaces where every child feels empowered to express their full selves. She is dedicated to fostering an environment where young dancers can not only thrive artistically but also build unwavering confidence through movement and authentic self-expression.
Check out Cameron's website: https://camsuckle.wixsite.com/my-site-7