The Competition World: A Positive or Negative Experience?

As a community dance studio who has participated in dance competitions for over the past 30 years, I believe that there are more positives than negatives gained from the competition stage experience. Back in the early 80's when my daughter Dove was one of my youngest competitors, dance competitions brought local dance studio owners under the same roof to showcase their costume and creative ideas. At that time, it wasn't about the most technical dancers or costumes that cost hundreds of dollars in embellishments. Studios from the same city would find themselves sharing the same dressing room and rooting for each other's performers. Owners were introduced and brought up on stage with their studio locations announced, drawing attention to the fact that many had come a long distance to participate in the event or that they were from the same communities. Small, plastic trophies adorned the stage and excited youngsters grabbed their 'prize' to take to 'Show 'n Tell the following day at school. Trophies eventually turned into medals or buttons and some companies even brought talent agents to the judge's table, offering a new twist... representation in the entertainment industry. As competition companies began to multiply, different prizes and perks were offered to attract supporters. The larger companies advertised 'cash prizes' to attract a specific following, and the once 'friendly' nature of competition changed dramatically. As dozens of smaller competitions popped up offering additional options to less-competitive studios, the competition world began to split and become more serious in nature.

Competition has become more fierce as studios try to out-do each other with over-embellished costumes and extensive stage props. Junior competitors perform like teens of yesteryear and the teens of today are comparable to the dancers on ‘So You Think You Can Dance'. Competition weekends held at the finest venues, bring all of the excitement of a three-ringed circus. Fancy light shows, big-screen TV monitors, glitzy backdrops, confetti and audience participation help to create a most memorable event. Each company has its own twist differentiating them from another, and the prize-money amount has continued to escalate. Year-end national finals brings the best-of-the-best of regional winners from all over the country to wonderful vacation destinations where the entire family can meet to celebrate the end of a studio's competition season.

I tell my students that they can learn from watching others who are better than they are.
As I wait in the audience for each soloist to fall into my arms for a big hug, I remind them that the outcome isn't as important as how they felt their performance was. As a studio director, I urge my staff to display the same positive attitude, offering supportive comments while at the venue and saving corrections for the classroom. Even though I rarely talk about monetary rewards, my students are motivated knowing that end-of-the-year outings are ultimately the rewards of their hard work. As we approach another competition season, I anxiously look forward to seeing Dellos newcomers on stage for their first time, hoping that the competition experience is one they will never forget. In the end, it isn't about 'the win' that our children will remember but rather everything else that's part of the preparation of getting them on stage. Memories are created with the simplest of attempt. Having my hair and makeup done by my mom, the jitters I felt before taking the stage, the pride I felt when displaying my studio's name at awards ceremonies, and the applause I received when I took a bow... those are the things that our children remember, not the trophies or the cash prizes! As local studios continue to meet up at the same venues year after year, it's important that they continue to display community camaraderie. Our common goal and purpose is to help develop well-rounded, confident young people who will take the memories that are created while in our care, with them throughout their lives. Good luck to everyone in our community who will find their child on stage this year! From one studio owner to another, 'Break-a-leg'! (NOT!) Have a wonderful and enjoyable competition season!

A Community Like No Other

I looked out into a crowd of loving faces as I stumbled through sentences and tried to find the right words to help express my gratitude for being invited once again to participate in our community's 5th annual, "Dance of Hope". Who would have known that a momentary eye contact and brief interlude with one of Chino Hill’s High School's young dancers would change my life forever?

In July of 2005, the newly selected CHHS Dance Team anxiously crowded around the Dellos-Walnut studio's lobby to sign in for their first jazz class. Amidst a chatter of anticipation, excitement and laughter, a petite blonde dancer made her way to the front of the line, captivating me with her crooked little smile and penetrating sky-blue eyes. Finding her charming and delightful, I introduced myself and said, "You are so cute! I LOVE your haircut!" The room went completely quiet for a moment and then back to giggles & squeals. Weeks later I found out that Karla Asch-Rosen had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a recently diagnosed cancerous brain tumor. The 'fuzzy, short blonde hair style' was actually Karla's re-growth after complete hair loss. Never once that summer did Karla complain or expect to be treated any differently than any of her teammates. The saying, "You can see a person's soul through their eyes" was so true of Karla. And what a beautiful and generous soul she had.

The first "Dance of Hope" was created by Karla, in May of 2005. Her intention and goal was to bring our community together through dance by raising money, not for herself, but for Cancer Research. Weeks before her February 2006 passing, one of her private journal entries shared her dream of 'continuing the annual event to help other ill children and teens of the community'. Karla yearned to see the CHHS-based dance program succeed, and the annual coming together of our community for her cause has exemplified Karla's foresight. What one might consider as across-town rivals, local junior high, high schools, colleges and private dance studios are all brought under one roof, working together to raise money for the same purpose and cause.

The powerful affect of a single young girl's life on an entire community is evident as we see how Karla has changed our residents forever. Each spring, dozens of small businesses come together, contributing food, programs, flowers, gifts, video services, and talent. The generous proceeds benefit two hand-selected community families whose children are stricken with life-threatening illnesses. A past "Dance of Hope" recipient, Rebecca Gillman, who was diagnosed with a rare brain vasculitus disease, was honored a few years ago with our community's outpouring support. Rhonda Gillman, Rebecca's mother shared, "We moved to Chino Hills 19 years ago. By the looks and size of the community now and the people here, I guess it shows we had good taste!" Her eyes filled with tears as she thanked the community for their financial generosity and prayers, and for honoring her daughter in Karla's memory.

Last year Townsend Junior High's Krystina Franchino and Chino Hills High's Amanda Gervaise, were awarded prestigious all-inclusive, one-year "KAR Artistic Dance Scholarships', provided by The Dellos Studios. They recently gave up their titles to this year's awardees, Kacie Finneran from Townsend and Veronica Edera from Chino Hills. The scholarships in Karla’s name carry the message of 'hope' and are a reminder of one young girl's unselfish giving back to her community. Dellos Studios are proud and honored to be a part of the caring and generous Chino Valley community, proven to be unlike any other.

It's Not Just Dance Learned at a Dance Studio!

New parents ask what Dellos' expectations are of their students and when they should expect advancement to the next level. With many years of experience watching young performers mature under my tutelage, my answer is always the same... 'each child learns and takes something different from their training in the classroom.' Some students take dance specifically as a doctor's recommendation for scoliosis or toed-in feet. Others find it an activity that encourages exercise and physical fitness. A small percentage of our clientele express the desire to prepare their children for the professional entertainment industry. Others chose dance as a recreational sport or seasonal activity like soccer, softball and swimming. It's easier to design an 'individualized class schedule' for a student based on our knowledge of the parent’s intent of enrollment. After a personal tour, the family gets a more vivid picture of Dellos' goals through our inspiring facility and prior successes as Arts educators. Then we ask about your particular goals for your child...

If a mom requests a dance class that's just 'fun' for her daughter, I explain that it's the discipline learned in the classroom is far more important than the steps taught. Dellos graduates and their mothers continue to thank me for the 'life lessons' their children learned during their years of involvement at Dellos. Time-management seems to head the list...learning hope to cope with project and homework deadlines intermingled among required dance rehearsals and long competition weekends. Children learn from a very young age that unless their homework is done and grades are up to par, dancing will have to take a back seat. Consequently, the dance team member that misses repeated classes or rehearsals due to parental punishment has to suffer similar consequences from the choreographer. This cause and effect encourages and reinforces the importance becoming a more diligent scholar, prioritizing time, school commitments and homework-study accordingly.

In addition to time-management, additional skills learned include patience and perseverance. Waiting ones turn, watching others perform and standing quietly in line require patience of the young child. Constructive criticism followed with positive encouragement, pushes the dancer to keep trying and working harder, persevering through physical or mental obstacles. Through the demonstration of proper body alignment and execution of each step, the students are given the proper perspective of what is expected of them. The ranking of a dancer's skill level is best achieved by comparing individuals of the same age, similar stature, and length of study.

When looking into a dance studio or dance program, you should ask about the instructor's qualifications and take the time to sample various classes offered before making a final decision. Instructors have different ways of getting their material across, with one personality possibly being better suited to your child than another. Ask your child what he or she wants. Do they want to try a hip-hop class requiring less technical-discipline or a ballet class with stringent dress code specifics? When conversing, ask your child how do you think you did? rather than, what did the teacher say? Sometimes we unfairly compare our children to others, not realizing or taking into consideration that some children are born with the natural tools to excel when others have to work much harder to achieve the same results. If we would all accept and adopt this attitude, our children will advance at their own pace and merely on their own desire to do so!
Happy dancing!

Using "The Arts" as an Emotional and Physical Release

Excited to embrace each new season with leisure-activities, we quickly find ourselves thrown into the hustle and bustle of having to make choices. The kids are back to school with their added extra-curricular activities and our work agendas fill every square of our personal calendars. We set aside our summer tank tops and pull out our winter sweaters, ready to tackle a whole new list of "things to do". Emotionally, we may feel a bit too overwhelmed or anxious with the pressure of the all new deadlines and due dates that each season brings. The approach of the holidays and end-of-the-year goals are seemingly just around the corner. Then the New Year flies right by, and the need for balance in our life becomes even more apparent and vitally necessary.

Children and teens involved in after-school sports programs find a perfect balance between the academics and physical activity. Adults who go to the gym regularly or are active with a sports-related community team, actually look forward to the release of adrenaline expelled during their physical workouts. During physical exercise the body finds itself tossed temporarily into a state of euphoria. With our minds refreshed and the blood in our bodies pumping, we feel more emotionally capable of engaging in the new challenges that face us.

Sports don't appeal to everybody. Those who are more artistic have a tendency to migrate towards music, drama and dance. Researchers have found the easy understanding and grasping of math concepts directly related to children involved in The Arts from a very early age. Dance and music, script reading and singing all have a natural "hidden rhythm: and timing of their own. Youngsters enrolled in dance classes at the age of 3, develop a natural understanding of simple number combinations, phrasing and rhythmic changes'all connected to the concept of math breakdown. "5-6-7-8-" , 'Hold three 8's', or 'enter on the 4th 8', becomes easily-understood dance-classroom speech. In later years, fraction-concept and story problems come easy to the child, as they too, are related in the breakdown of choreography composition!.

The physical activities chosen to balance out our family's lives should be taken just as seriously as our work commitment and school involvement. After-school programs should carry the same emphasis of indulging oneself entirely into the moment- becoming the best we can at what we're doing, learning every detail and mastering each skill. We then can walk away feeling emotionally refreshed and revived, ready to study, complete a project or indulge in an engaging TV program without guilt!

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.

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