Photo courtesy of Cleveland Cavaliers Lydia Marshall Hacker, a 2017 graduate of Niles McKinley High School, is a member of the PowerHouse Dance Team, which is the dance team for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During Cleveland Cavaliers games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Lydia Marshall Hacker performs in front of thousands.

Dancing in front of the home crowd, she receives an immediate response. But, as enjoyable as that is, she wants her biggest impact to be among future generations.

“It is important for me to bring dance into other people’s lives because dance can be anything,” the Niles native said during a recent interview.

“It can be a way for you to move your body. It can be a way for you to celebrate. It can be a way for you to have fun. It can be a way for you to express what you’re feeling. It can be a way to test your athleticism and push yourself. It can be a way to communicate with others. It can be entertainment, art, communication and peace all at one time.

“Dance is fundamental to human nature. I think that every person, no matter who they are, can find something in the art form of dance that resonates with them.”

Hacker’s lifelong passion for dance began early in her life. Starting classes at 3, she became a competitive dancer while going to Niles McKinley High School, from where she graduated in 2017.

After attending the University of Akron, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in dance, she now enters her second decade as a performer and teacher with an emphasis toward jazz and hip-hop styles.

“My parents have always said I was dancing before I was walking. When I’m performing, I feel like I am my most authentic self. I love that dance is able to bring people so much joy.

“As soon as I knew I could be a dance teacher, that was my dream job and ultimate aspiration. I was determined that dance would be a part of my life no matter what. I am very lucky that I get to work in the dance industry, not only as a performer but also as a teacher and an advocate for arts outreach.”

Hacker credits her parents, John and Susan Marshall, for their support and helpful advice.

“They are the reason I am where I am today. My parents truly instilled the belief in both me and my sister that there is nothing in life that is impossible. I knew from an early age that I could make my dreams a reality if I worked hard, and that lesson from my parents is the entire reason I have been able to accomplish my goals.

“My parents never missed a chance to cheer me on in various performances growing up, and you can still find them cheering me on at the Cavs games. Everything I know about persistence, work ethic, and belief in myself, I owe to them. They are two of my biggest inspirations.”

DANCING FOR THE CAVS

Following the Cavaliers 2023 playoff run, Hacker completed her second year as part of the NBA franchise’s PowerHouse Dance Team. During a game day, she and the other dancers perform routines during timeouts and constantly help pump up the fans whose cheers push the Cavs towards victory.

“Seeing the way Cleveland came out to support the team and cheer with us (during the playoffs) was incredibly impressive. The energy in the FieldHouse during those games was electric. We could feel the excitement in the air.

“Each time I step on the court it gets even more exciting. When the lights go down and we take our beginning pose for a routine, the excitement and energy the dance team is able to feel together is unmatched. You know you will not only feel the joy of your performance, but you also feel the energy and passion of the entire team around you as you work to execute a routine.”

Besides being around postseason games this year, another memorable moment during her short time with the Cavs organization took place during her first season when Hacker experienced the thrill of NBA All-Star Weekend and being on the court when the league’s 75th anniversary team was announced.

She and the PowerHouse Dance Team also were backup dancers for R&B artist Montell Jordan during a halftime performance, as well as for hip-hop artist and producer DJ Khaled at the All-Star Game, and LL Cool J during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction performance in 2021.

“During my college career, I was a part of the University of Akron’s D1A Dance Team. I fell in love with performing at sporting events, and I hoped I could one day be a part of the iconic entertainers at the Cavaliers games,” Hacker said.

GRAND PROPOSAL

Her husband, Andy, proposed to her during a Dance Team performance at an Akron Zips game.

“It was the greatest culmination of the things that are most important to me, my love for my husband and my love of dance.

“It was a little scary because my teammates were too good at surprising me. I knew the routine we practiced for the game that week, but I didn’t know the routine they learned to surprise me. When our dance was over and everyone around me continued with choreography that I didn’t know, I was ready to jump in and try to follow along. Fortunately, one of my friends on the court said, ‘Just trust me.’ I was then able to recognize the song playing as ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars, and that is when I saw Andy walking on to the court. It was such an amazing moment.”

Hacker views being a good ambassador for the Cavs team and community engagement as an even more important part of being a member of the PowerHouse Dance Team.

“I love dancing because it can help entertain, uplift and bring a smile to someone’s face. Thankfully, the Cavaliers have given me so many other fantastic opportunities to do those things off the court,” she said.

Past events included the Supermarket Surprise and Delight where representatives from the Cavaliers surprised Giant Eagle shoppers by assisting with their checkout; the JR Cavs Jersey Reveal Day where all Cavs Youth teams got to experience being called out on to the basketball court with lights, music and fans; and Only Treats, which allowed kids to go trick or treating at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

“When I was in middle school, I took a field trip to a Cavaliers game with my cheerleading squad. I remember being impressed and amazed by the dancers. They were able to project so much energy and excitement into the arena. As a young dancer, I couldn’t help but look up to them. This is why it’s especially exciting when we get to participate in community events with young Cavs fans. I remember what it was like to be in their shoes,” Hacker said.

While her season with the Cavs ended earlier than she, the team and fans wanted, Hacker remains busy teaching classes at an Akron dance studio and as part of the Cleveland Dance Project.

Similar to her being inspired by the Cavaliers PowerHouse Dance Team when she was younger, Hacker aims to encourage future dancers as a member of the non-profit organization, ArtSparks (www.artsparksdance.org).

“Our aim is to bring dance and music education into school classrooms and create opportunities for students to explore the joys of the arts,” Hacker said. “Teaching dance is important to me because dance is something that is too important for me not to pass on to others. If I can be a part of bringing the joy of dancing into anyone’s life, I feel that I have served my purpose.”