If you know dance, you know Millennium Dance Complex. The bold red logo. The iconic LA backdrop. The world-class choreographers. The Instagram-famous combos. It’s a household name in the dance world.
💖 THANK YOU, RHINESTONE FAM! 💖
We’ve officially been recognized as an Emerging Talent on Facebook and it’s all because of YOU.
From the first mic check to every comment, like, and share…your support has sparkled brighter than our logo (and that’s saying something).Because of YOU, Rhinestones & Rants isn’t just a podcast, it’s a movement. A safe space. A backstage pass to the stories that deserve the mic.
We’re honored. We’re grateful! With glitter, gratitude, and all the sass...
Thank you for riding this journey with us!
-Alyssa Better & The Rhinestones & Rants Team
Episodes
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
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
Episode 4: Hip-Hop Royalty - The Brooklyn Jai Story
In this week's episode, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with a the hip-hop legend Brooklyn Jai on Rhinestones and Rants. To say it was an unforgettable episode would be an understatement.
From the first beat of the conversation, Brooklyn Jai brought exactly what he brings to every stage, every studio, and every kid he mentors, raw emotion, unapologetic truth, and boundless passion.
Brooklyn Jai’s journey is one of grit, grind, and gratitude. From the streets that gave birth to hip-hop to the stages that now celebrate his name, his rise was never handed to him, it was earned, moment by moment, class by class, heartbreak by breakthrough.
About Brooklyn Jai:
California native Brooklyn Jai began his dancing career at a young age. By the time he was 13, he began the craft of Teaching. Combining his unique style of Hip Hop, he is making his mark among this industries' well known Choreographers.
Opportunities led him to Choreograph for MYA, Iggy Azalea, J balvin, Lizzo, French Montana, Kat Deluna, YG, Gashi, television show Castle, VH1 "Save The Music Tour", "Wango Tango Music Concert", "Dance for 3LW", "Marco Houston BET Awards", and on "American Idol". He also landed an appearance on "Soul Train with Corey Clark" and worked on UPN TV show along with the cast. he was invited to teach the "Summer Intensive" and "Master Classes" at the distinguished "Debbie Allen Dance Academy" alongside Dave Scott.
Brooklyn Jai has earned a reputation as one of the hottest Choreographers to hit the LA Scene. With his unique style of Hip Hop mixed with Jazz Funk, his fast paced dance routines has led him to teach at such Studios as Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Allen Dance Academy & Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center.
With several packed classes every week,
Brooklyn JAI is now working on his first debut album, and is touring across the country!
From the first beat of the conversation, Brooklyn Jai brought exactly what he brings to every stage, every studio, and every kid he mentors, raw emotion, unapologetic truth, and boundless passion.
Brooklyn Jai’s journey is one of grit, grind, and gratitude. From the streets that gave birth to hip-hop to the stages that now celebrate his name, his rise was never handed to him, it was earned, moment by moment, class by class, heartbreak by breakthrough.
About Brooklyn Jai:
California native Brooklyn Jai began his dancing career at a young age. By the time he was 13, he began the craft of Teaching. Combining his unique style of Hip Hop, he is making his mark among this industries' well known Choreographers.
Opportunities led him to Choreograph for MYA, Iggy Azalea, J balvin, Lizzo, French Montana, Kat Deluna, YG, Gashi, television show Castle, VH1 "Save The Music Tour", "Wango Tango Music Concert", "Dance for 3LW", "Marco Houston BET Awards", and on "American Idol". He also landed an appearance on "Soul Train with Corey Clark" and worked on UPN TV show along with the cast. he was invited to teach the "Summer Intensive" and "Master Classes" at the distinguished "Debbie Allen Dance Academy" alongside Dave Scott.
Brooklyn Jai has earned a reputation as one of the hottest Choreographers to hit the LA Scene. With his unique style of Hip Hop mixed with Jazz Funk, his fast paced dance routines has led him to teach at such Studios as Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Allen Dance Academy & Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center.
With several packed classes every week,
Brooklyn JAI is now working on his first debut album, and is touring across the country!
Episode 5: Behind the Spotlight: Raising a Dance Son – The Gavin Morales Story
This week on Rhinestones and Rants, I had the privilege of sitting down with Scott and Joanne Morales—two parents who didn’t just raise a dancer, they raised a trailblazer. Their son, Gavin Morales, has carved out a name for himself in the dance world, but the journey to get there was anything but smooth.
What does it really mean to raise a boy in dance? What does that path look like when it’s not just rare—but ridiculed?
In this raw and emotional episode, we dive deep into the Morales family story. From early skepticism to all-out support, Scott Morales shares how he went from hoping his son would choose baseball to becoming one of the fiercest, most devoted dance dads I’ve ever seen. His transformation was not only heartwarming—it was heroic.
About JoAnne Morales:
JoAnne Morales is the definition of strength, drive, and heart. A powerhouse attorney and an accomplished businesswoman, Jo has built a career grounded in grit and intelligence, but her proudest role has always been mom.
At a young age, Jo’s parents instilled in her the importance of believing in yourself and the value of hard work—principles that fueled her success in the legal world. But even more than her career, Jo’s greatest achievement has been creating a life of passion, purpose, and unconditional love for her children, McKenzie and Gavin.
With the unwavering support of her husband Scott, Jo turned her children’s dreams into realities. Whether it was driving six hours round trip for a five-minute audition, sacrificing vacations to attend Nationals in Las Vegas, or navigating the high-stakes world of competitive dance—she did it all without hesitation. Through love, sacrifice, and an almost superhuman level of dedication, Jo helped build careers her children could not only be proud of but live and thrive in every single day.
She is the quintessential dance mom, but also so much more. She’s the heart and soul of her family, a woman whose strength commands attention and whose words are always worth listening to. Jo is living proof that success comes from showing up, standing strong, and loving fiercely. There is truly nothing she wouldn’t do for her kids, and everyone lucky enough to know her knows it.
About Scott Morales:
Born and raised in Southern California, Scott Morales later moved to Northern California with his family following his father’s job transfer, a move that marked the beginning of a new chapter. In his early 20s, he met the love of his life, JoAnne, and together they built a close-knit family rooted in passion, resilience, and creativity.
Professionally, Scott has spent decades in the corporate world as a seasoned manager and now serves as a trusted business advisor. But beyond boardrooms and business plans, Scott wears the proud title of Dance Dad Extraordinaire. While he may not take the stage himself, he’s been the unwavering support system behind his two nationally award-winning children, McKenzie and Gavin Morales, both of whom have dazzled audiences across the country with their remarkable talent.
From long drives to dance competitions to being the quiet strength behind the scenes, Scott has taken the journey of dance right alongside his family. And through every leap, turn, and standing ovation, he wouldn’t trade a single moment.
What does it really mean to raise a boy in dance? What does that path look like when it’s not just rare—but ridiculed?
In this raw and emotional episode, we dive deep into the Morales family story. From early skepticism to all-out support, Scott Morales shares how he went from hoping his son would choose baseball to becoming one of the fiercest, most devoted dance dads I’ve ever seen. His transformation was not only heartwarming—it was heroic.
About JoAnne Morales:
JoAnne Morales is the definition of strength, drive, and heart. A powerhouse attorney and an accomplished businesswoman, Jo has built a career grounded in grit and intelligence, but her proudest role has always been mom.
At a young age, Jo’s parents instilled in her the importance of believing in yourself and the value of hard work—principles that fueled her success in the legal world. But even more than her career, Jo’s greatest achievement has been creating a life of passion, purpose, and unconditional love for her children, McKenzie and Gavin.
With the unwavering support of her husband Scott, Jo turned her children’s dreams into realities. Whether it was driving six hours round trip for a five-minute audition, sacrificing vacations to attend Nationals in Las Vegas, or navigating the high-stakes world of competitive dance—she did it all without hesitation. Through love, sacrifice, and an almost superhuman level of dedication, Jo helped build careers her children could not only be proud of but live and thrive in every single day.
She is the quintessential dance mom, but also so much more. She’s the heart and soul of her family, a woman whose strength commands attention and whose words are always worth listening to. Jo is living proof that success comes from showing up, standing strong, and loving fiercely. There is truly nothing she wouldn’t do for her kids, and everyone lucky enough to know her knows it.
About Scott Morales:
Born and raised in Southern California, Scott Morales later moved to Northern California with his family following his father’s job transfer, a move that marked the beginning of a new chapter. In his early 20s, he met the love of his life, JoAnne, and together they built a close-knit family rooted in passion, resilience, and creativity.
Professionally, Scott has spent decades in the corporate world as a seasoned manager and now serves as a trusted business advisor. But beyond boardrooms and business plans, Scott wears the proud title of Dance Dad Extraordinaire. While he may not take the stage himself, he’s been the unwavering support system behind his two nationally award-winning children, McKenzie and Gavin Morales, both of whom have dazzled audiences across the country with their remarkable talent.
From long drives to dance competitions to being the quiet strength behind the scenes, Scott has taken the journey of dance right alongside his family. And through every leap, turn, and standing ovation, he wouldn’t trade a single moment.
Episode 6: Behind the Curtain with Anne-Marie Hudson: The Visionary Behind Millennium Dance Complex
If you know dance, you know Millennium Dance Complex. The bold red logo. The iconic LA backdrop. The world-class choreographers. The Instagram-famous combos. It’s a household name in the dance world.
But do you know the woman behind it all?
In this electrifying and emotional episode of Rhinestones and Rants, we sit down with Anne-Marie Hudson, the powerhouse CEO and founder of Millennium Dance Complex and let me tell you, this is not just a story about a studio. This is a story about vision, grit, perseverance, and passion.
About AnnMarie Hudson:
Before it was the most iconic dance studio in the world, it was just an empty room and AnnMarie Hudson's dream.
A Jersey girl with a Broadway soul, AnnMarie had been dancing and managing studios since her teens. But when she moved to L.A. in the early ’90s, fate handed her the keys to a struggling rehearsal space: Moro Landis Studios. With no money down and eight boomboxes from the drugstore, she turned the lights back on and the future of dance changed forever.
By 1999, that little studio evolved into Millennium Dance Complex, a creative sanctuary that broke barriers by fusing hip hop with traditional dance styles, something no one else dared to do. AnnMarie didn't follow trends. She built the place where they were born.
Millennium quickly became a global dance hub. Everyone came through its doors: Britney, Beyoncé, Usher, J.Lo, Justin Timberlake and the choreographers who shaped their careers. It wasn’t about fame. It was about freedom to move, to create, to be seen.
AnnMarie created more than a studio. She built a launchpad for legends and a home for dancers from every walk of life. She painted the red wall, lit the stage lights, and told an entire generation: You belong here.