Teaching dance was a whim for Bobbi in 1973, developed into her life-long passion and career. Now 57, Bobbi remembers having a love for dance and performing and enjoyed playing ‘dance teacher’ as a young child. An only child, she grew up with the opportunity to take every type of lesson available, from ice-skating to horseback riding, the French horn to piano lessons, as well as participating in community theatre and taking dance instruction. “I remember the wonderful feeling I had when walking into my dance studio as a little girl…the scent of ballet-shoe rosin and old leather shoes…the barres, the mirrors, the old wooden floor…it was just me and my stage. When the accompanist put her fingers on the piano keys, my whole world became magical, like a fairy tale. I had me all to myself…I’d close my eyes and imagine performing on a big stage with the lights shining…just on me.” The starry-eyed child would soon be propelled into the Hollywood entertainment industry at the age of 17, as a quick replacement on the nationally televised CBS “Dean Martin Variety Show”, as one of the original ‘Dean Martin Golddiggers’. Unfortunately just a few years later, Bobbi’s dancing career came to an immediate halt when her mother fell ill to terminal cancer. Instead of going on the road with The Golddiggers to The MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Bobbi chose to complete her BA in English, Minor in Dance and Secondary Teaching Credential (while at the same time pursuing a Veterinary Science degree!) locally at California Polytechnic University @ Pomona, so that she could remain home with her mother. “It was a simple choice, my Mother or my career. Who knows what I’d be doing now or where I’d be if I had continued dancing professionally? I knew staying home was the right choice then and I’ve never regretted that decision to this day.”

Bobbi’s dance career was far from being over. To make a little spending money, in 1973 at the age of 21, she opened a small dance studio in Rowland Heights, “Tap ‘n Toe by Miss Bobbi”, operating it entirely by herself. “I would stuff cash and checks into my shoes or leotard. Years later my husband found a few of them all crumbled up and stiff! At the time, I was one of very few ‘female’ business owners in my community. I did my best to manage the many directions that tugged at me. While teaching Junior High full-time to complete my Credentials, I continued attending college and running my dance studio all at the same time. Those were crazy years but I loved the challenge!” After marrying Dave Dellos at the age of 26 and changing the studio to his name, The Dellos Studios were officially born! The original Dellos in Rowland Heights expanded to a second location in Diamond Bar, eventually consolidating under one roof in Walnut, still known as The Home of the Dellos Dancers. In 2006, Dellos Studios welcomed the addition of a franchise-studio on The Central Coast, Dellos Performing Arts Center. The same year, a 17,000 square foot state-of-the-art dance facility was created to service The Chino Valley, affectionately known as, The Dellos Dance Connection.

From 50 students in 1973 to the combined thousands over the years, Bobbi believes she is only at the peak of her career. “I am ever so thankful for those who have come into my life through my dance studios. I have been forever changed by the influence of each precious student, their parents and families, and my wonderful staff. Each experience they brought with them has helped to create and mold the person that I have become today. Wow…thirty-eight wonderful years of unforgettable, priceless memories…I wouldn’t change a thing even if I was given a chance to do it all over again!” Even though Bobbi is doing less teaching and more over-seeing (while anticipating two full knee replacements), she is enjoying being ‘Grambi’ to three precious Grandsons, Connor 4 years, and 2 year old identical twins, Caden & Ryder. “It doesn’t look like I’ll be spoiling any Grand-daughters any time soon, so I’ll just keep spoiling my students”!