Four local teens will represent Washington’s Le Moulin Rouge de Danse in a national dance competition next month, and area residents can get a sneak peak at the troupe’s performance this weekend.

Jamie Gaynor, Tribecca Moore, Samantha Sawyer and Hope Stallings are competition bound, and they will be part of the line-up in the dance studio’s recital, scheduled for Friday and Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. in the Washington High School Performing Arts Center.

Shannon Reising, who became the new owner of Le Moulin Rouge de Danse at the beginning of the year, said she was delighted that the newly-formed troupe is already making its mark in the dance world. At the request of students and parents, she and Tara Shumaker-Nojima founded the troupe and are serving as its coaches.

The dancers got their feet wet with their first competition, hosted by Starland Productions in Louisburg.

“We decided to start with a smaller competition, and both pieces placed gold,” Reising. “That is fabulous for never having competed before. We were very, very happy. But we never wanted it to be about winning; we wanted it to be about them having the experience.”

The dancers and their coaches decided to build on their success, entering a larger competition dubbed Southeast Showdown in Smithfield. They danced their way to a series of gold and elite gold trophies and earned a berth in Southeast Showdown’s national competition.

But what made Reising the happiest was learning that all four girls were named Showdown dancers, quite an honor considering that out of the approximately 150 dancers represented only 15 were chosen.

“The Showdown dancers are selected by the other studios based on helpfulness, attitude … it’s all about positivity,” Reising said.

Now they’re preparing for the national competition, which will be held June 18-20 in Morehead City. More than 200 dancers are expected to participate in that event, according to Reising.

The performances in this weekend’s recital will give the troupe’s dancers the opportunity to show off their art while also polishing their routines. The event is free and the public is cordially invited.

“This recital is a way for our girls to show what they’ve learned throughout the year and to get some experience on stage,” Reising said.

Reising said the girls and their coaches are delighted with the progress they’ve made thus far.

“These girls are dedicated,” she said. “Our troupe practices one hour a week, but most other competition-based studios practice 10 to 15 hours a week.”

But the Washington troupe is holding its own, and if their dedication and hard work pay off the young dancers may just find themselves earning platinum or higher distinction at nationals, which would entitle them to take part in the overall competition.

Le Moulin Rouge de Danse is currently accepting donations to pay the girls’ expenses at the national competition. Collection jars will be set up at the recital both evenings, and checks may be sent to 151 Avon Avenue, Washington, NC 27889.

“One hundred percent will go to the girls’ expenses,” Reising said. “Anything that is left over will be rolled over to next year’s competitions.”