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Originally from Nigeria, Linda LaNaija moved to New York City after graduating from Princeton University with a degree in Anthropology. In search of diverse cultures and forms of movement expression, she found her voice through house music, and a home in New York's underground house scene.  

Over the years she has developed a unique style that blends her love for house with African and modern dance, and she is known for her fluidity, her strength and her intrinsic musicality.  Linda is honored to have met, studied and performed with dance pioneers such as Archie Burnett, Javier Ninja, Future Ninja, Michael "U4RIA" Clarke, Marjory Smarth, Tone McGregor, Caleaf Sellars, Sekou, James “Cricket” Colter, Camille A. Brown, Adia Whitaker, and Courtney Ffrench.  She has also worked with artists such as Grammy award-winning producer Little Louie Vega, Mr. V, Alix Alvarez, Barbara Tucker, Wunmi, Manchildblack, among others.  A few of her credits include a featured role in Vissi Dance Theatre’s premiere piece MelbaBCD (a fusion of both contemporary and house dance), a solo performance at the recent BAAD!Ass Women Festival, and appearances in numerous music videos. While she doesn’t consider herself a “battle” dancer, Linda has entered and won several competitions including the annual Freestyle Dance-Off in Miami (2 years in a row), the house battle at Brian “Footwork” Green’s House Dance Conference and Buddha Stretch’s Step Ya Game Up, and she was the house judge at Battle for a Cause in Houston, Texas. In 2007, Linda co-founded MAWU, an all-female urban dance crew based in New York City but known throughout the US as well as overseas. The group’s original motivation was to represent and highlight strong female dancers in a largely male-dominated scene, and also to present fierce and creative works that entertain, educate and inspire. Recent performances include the Boogie Down Dance Series presented by the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, The Continuing Legacy of Afrobeat presented by Wunmigirl, Hip Hop Generation Next presented by Dancing in the Streets, and the MopTop 20th Anniversary Reunion. MAWU is known for their diversity and versatility, their fun and energetic performances, their love for house music and dance, and their commitment to preserving the elements of “freedom” and “style”. Outside of MAWU, Linda continues to collaborate with numerous artists, both local and from overseas.

She has taught group classes and workshops in Harlem, and currently teaches privates in Manhattan. For Linda, the dance floor is sacred and she encourages all dancers to love the music, respect the culture, and represent themselves with honesty and integrity, especially in battles of today. House culture has had a powerful impact on her development as a dancer, her growth as an artist, and her own personal journey as a woman, and she hopes to help others discover the same in their own lives.