When Lori Lewis decided to open up her own dance studio 39 years ago, mothers were the parent who signed their youngsters up for classes, transported them to and from those classes each week, and generally supported their children as they pursued tap, jazz, ballet and other forms of dance.

When Lori Lewis decided to open up her own dance studio 39 years ago, mothers were the parent who signed their youngsters up for classes, transported them to and from those classes each week, and generally supported their children as they pursued tap, jazz, ballet and other forms of dance.

Today, moms are no longer the sole parent seen at Lewis’ studio, SheLor School of Dance.

“There is way more interaction with the dads nowadays,” Lewis said. “I guess they feel more comfortable. There’s just more of an openness in the connection with their girls.”

She said her “dance dads” help with scenery and props if asked, and rarely miss competitions or recitals.

“They are a very proud group,” Lewis said.

Jason Hindman, of Butler Township, is an unabashedly devoted dance dad to his daughter, Ava, 16.

Ava has attended classes at SheLor since age 3, when her parents enrolled her in a beginners class to see if the tot would take to the activity.

“It was pretty obvious early on that she loved it, and it was just really a part of her,” Jason said. “It just kept going and going and getting deeper every year.”

He is a self-described sports lover who coached Ava’s soccer and basketball teams when she was younger.

“She was good at that, but when I saw her at dance, I thought it was really interesting to see that love and passion come out,” he said.

Jason never shied away from involvement in Ava’s dance recitals and competitions, especially after discovering that her dance team’s dynamic is very similar to that of a sports team.

“I really got excited to see her teammates and seeing their dances too,” he said. “It’s interesting how really, truly athletic these girls are and how physically and mentally strong they are. All these things we celebrate on a sports field, they are doing on stage, and it’s not really that different.”

Jason said he has found another benefit to being a dedicated dance dad.

“I’ve also formed relationships with my fellow dance dads and that is part of it, too,” he said. “We’re not as unique as we used to be in the past.”

He said the dads will grab lunch together during times at competitions when their daughters are not slated to dance.

The men do discuss sports, but also analyze the various dances at the competition and discuss their favorites.

“It wouldn’t be the whole topic of conversation,” Jason said of discussing dance with other dads, “but it definitely comes up.”

Now that Ava is 16, he knows his experience as a dance dad may be coming to an end.

“As a parent, when you see your kid’s passion, it’s just easy to support them,” he said of being a dance dad. “It’s been a fun ride.”

Ava’s mom, Gayle Poston, is thrilled that her husband takes such a deep interest in their daughter’s dance career.

“He never wants to miss any performances Ava is in,” she said. “He is very supportive running her back and forth to the studio, fixing tap shoes, or doing whatever she needs.”

Gayle said that in a national competition at the end of the month, the dads will compete individually by performing a dance choreographed by the dance company hosting the competition.

The choreography will be sent to SheLor, and Ava must teach her dad the steps before the competition.

“We’ll see how that goes,” Gayle said with a chuckle. “I love that he’s a good dance dad.”

Bob Poston, of Jefferson Township, has been a SheLor dance dad since his daughter, Avery, 17, has been 3 or 4 years old.

He said many dads go to camp or take the boat out on the river during recital and competition season.

“We back her up as much as we can and do whatever we can for her,” Poston said. “It’s good to have the dad present.”

He said Avery’s goal is to be a professional dancer.

“My wife took her to ballet when she was 2 or 3, and at that point, she told her mom, ‘That is what I’m going to do,’” Poston said. “It has been all dance, all the time, since then.”

Poston went as far as to put a barre, mirrors and a small dance floor in Avery’s bedroom when he remodeled it.

“I always joke with her that she gets her moves from me,” he said.

Avery skirted that statement. “Um, I don’t know if I agree with that,” she said.

She said having her dad at all her recitals, performances and competitions means the world to her.

“I wish that all girls could have a dad like I do, who is so involved in dance,” Avery said. “It shows that he cares.”

Lewis said she has not had any negative experiences in dealing with her dancers’ dads.

She feels their presence and support benefits her dancers in multiple ways.

“I think it definitely fosters that father-daughter relationship with the girls that they need so much,” Lewis said.

She hopes to do a dad’s dance when SheLor celebrates its 40th anniversary next year, and hopes to have lots of dads sign up.

“Bring ’em on,” Lewis said of dance dads. “We want more.”