Lateefah Fleming

Lateefah Fleming began her dance career at the age of seven, as part of the Afro-Caribbean group La Rocque Bey Dance Company in Harlem NY. She earned a degree from City College of New York, and is certified in Pilates Mat , Pilates Reformer, Personal Training, Group Fitness, Pre- and Post-Natal Fitness, and Vinyassa Yoga. She has performed with The Perry Dance Company, the Middle Eastern Dance Company Rainbow Essence, Oasis, and her own company, Raqs la Majali, A World Dance Fusion Experience. She has trained in numerous dance techniques at Broadway Dance Center, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Steps on Broadway, Perry Studios, and with various masters of Oriental dance. She started her own fitness firm, empowerfit, and is the Group Exercise Director at The Spa At Glenpointe. Currently she is completing a Master's Degree in Natural Health. She joined the CMDE faculty in 2005.

When did you discover your love your dance?

I was actually forced into dance by my mother at age 6.  It was not my favorite thing, especially because it took me away from my Saturday mornig cartoons!  AFter a while, though, I realized I was having a good time.  And who needed the escape of cartoons when you could escape anything that bothered you through movement?  My love of dance began to take shape when I performed in my first show at 7 with La Rocque Bey at Symphony Space Theater in New York.  What a high!! I have been hooked ever since.

How does dance make you feel?

Dance makes me feel beautiful.  When you move and truly let go, you forget all the so-called imperfections you put on yourself.  The trueness of my beauty really comes through when I dance.

What do you love most about Center for Modern Dance?

What I love most about CMDE is there are no judgements.  Everyone has the right and privilege to explore what they have always wanted to do.  I feel it is never too late to dance and be as beautiful as you never knew you were.  CMDE supposrts my belief by "nurturing the dancer within".

Who is your favorite dancer?

My favorite dancer....? Wow, that's a hard one. Gwen Verdon and Judith Jameson are two of my favorites.  More contemporary would be Linda Celeste-Sims and, believe it or not, Sabra Johnson and Sasha Mallory, both from "So You Think You Can Dance".