photo courtesy on the DanceSpot

Beloved and celebrated Fullerton dance teacher Deidre Madrigal is retiring after 55 years. Her studio, The Dance Spot, started in her parent’s garage and grew to roughly 400 students at its height. Madrigal often called Dee Dee by her students emphasizes the support of her parents, who sacrificed their priorities, time, and careers for her success. In her current studio space, she points to the hardwood floors where her father purchased the wood and transported it from Baldwin Park. Madrigal and her father installed them together, it is a family business.

Madrigal’s impact has sparked attention and in March, a film crew began a documentary about her adult tap class.

“Her story reveals someone who is making a difference locally— where it matters,” said writer and Director Eric Frost-Barnes describing his inspiration.

Frost-Barnes says that she has touched and transformed lives. “Society is losing something important, and this (Dee Dee’s adult tap class) chips away at my cynicism.”

It will be a short, eight to fifteen-minute documentary submitted to the film festival circuit. He describes that he will take it as far as it will go; Cannes is the dream. The final cut is expected to be ready by summer 2025.

The adult tap class has been offered for the last 45 years. Madrigal and I spoke in the studio lobby before class. Madrigal finds tap to be a special form of dance. She loves music, funk, the part that touches your soul.

“There’s a uniqueness to it. I look forward to tonight.”

She describes that her teaching style is rhythmic and that she knows exactly how tonight’s class will go. The dancers arrive with bright, happy faces, eager to see how tonight will unfold. They are mostly women ages 18 to 68, are high energy, and display a sense of community with each other.

“If you’re having fun, they’re having fun”, says Madrigal.

Her expertise comes from years of teaching dance and a degree in music from Chapman University. Her mentor, dance teacher Joan Golden, noticed her potential when she was about 14 years old.

Dancers just learning about her planned retirement shed tears, and give hugs and well wishes. Madrigal has touched many lives, from young to old to young at heart!

To learn more about the Dance Spot visit: https://www.dancethedancespot.com/classes