Dellos Dance & Performing Arts Studios Celebrates Their 35th Year In the Dance School Business!

From what started as a whim for Bobbi Dellos in 1973, it developed into her life-long passion and career. Now 55, Bobbi remembers having a love for dance and performing and enjoyed playing ‘dance teacher’ as a youngster. An only child, she grew up with the opportunity to take every type of lesson available, from ice skating to horseback riding, learning the french horn and taking piano lessons, participating in community theatre and taking dance.

“I remember the wonderful feeling I had walking into my dance studio…once the music began or the accompanist put her hands on the piano keys, my whole world became magical…it was like having me all to myself, like there was nobody else in the room-just me, the mirror and my stage!”. The starry-eyed child would soon be propelled into the Hollywood entertainmnet business at the age of 17 to become a quick replacement on the nationally televised ‘Dean Martin Variety Show’ as one of the original ‘Dean Martin Golddiggers’. Unfortunately a few years later, Bobbi’s tv career came to a screeching halt when her mother fell terminally ill to cancer. Instead of going on the road with The Golddiggers to the The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, she chose to study veterinary science while completing her secondary teaching credentials at Cal Poly, Pomona, so she could remain home with her Mother. “It was a simple choice, my Mother, or my career…who knew where dance would have taken me. I knew staying home was the right choice…” Bobbi’s career was far from being over. To make a little spending money, at the age of 21 she opened a small dance studio in Rowland Heights, ‘Tap & Toe by Miss Bobbi’, and ran it entirely by herself. “I would just stuff checks and cash into my leotards or shoes…my husband found them years later, all crumbled up and stiff!”.

After marrying Dave Dellos and changing the name of her studio to his name, the rest is history. The original Dellos in Rowland Heights expanded to a second location in Diamond Bar and eventually consolidated under one roof in Walnut. Two years ago, Dellos Studios expanded to a franchise studio on The Central Coast and created a 17,000 foot, state-of-the-art dance facility in the Chino Valley. From 50 students in 1973 to over 2,000 combined of today, Bobbi believes she is only at her peak in her career. ‘This past holiday season really made me realize what I have achieved in my 35 year career. I am ever so thankful for those who have come into my life through my dance studios. Through the influences of everybody I have met, it has taken 35 years to create who I have become today.

Each precious student, their parents, my staff…each memory is priceless! I can’t imagine any other life and wouldn’t change a thing if I was given the chance to start all over again! Even though Bobbi has no plans on retirement at this time, she is enjoying being a Grandma to three Grandsons. ‘My daughter Dove just blessed me with identical twin boys, in addition to her first son. It doesn’t look like I’ll be spoiling any Granddaughters for awhile, so I’ll just keep spoiling my students!”, she laughs.

Dellos’ Winter Class Schedule offers a wide array of class choices. From Intro2Dance classes for 2 1/2 year olds to ballet, jazz and hip-hop for adults, Dellos offers something for everyone. Their professional staff is made up of 25 energetic and enthusiastic artists, looking to create the same ‘magic’ Bobbi felt as a child. Be a part of Dellos history and perform in their 35th annual recital, Saturday, June 14th, at the beautiful Colony High School Auditorium in Upland. For more information or class enrollment please call: 909-597-9370.

The Dellos Dance Connection is open from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and until noon on weekends.