These girls are on fire.

Four dance students from Marion’s Adagio Arts and Wellness Center qualified this month for a national dance competition with a contemporary dance routine set to Alicia Keyes’ song “Girl on Fire.”

For the girls, who are between seven and 11 years old, it’s the first time they’ve competed in a dance contest.

Adagio Arts and Wellness owner Danielle Lopes coached the girls and choreographed the dance they performed. She calmed the tense dancers before they took the stage at the qualifying round, held May 4, in East Providence R.I.

“They were jumping up and down going, ‘I’m so nervous, I’m so nervous,’” Lopes said. “I grabbed the four of them and I said, ‘We are here to have fun, that’s all I care about, go out there and have fun’…When they came off the stage I cried, I was so proud of them.”

“Self Love” is the theme of Adagio’s spring dance show, which is why Lopes chose the song “Girl on Fire.” Lessons on self-confidence are part of the package when it comes to dancing, she said.

“Everything we do here is about building confidence and social skills and teamwork,” Lopes said. She congratulated her dancers for having the courage to perform in front of a crowd of strangers at the qualifying competition.

The girls, all Marion residents, have been dancing for a number of years except for one newcomer. Jaeda Lopes, age 10, has danced for eight years, Alanna Fitzpatrick, age 11, has danced for six years and Faileen Fitzpatrick, age 7, has danced for five years.

Gracey Weedall, age 11, has danced for two years, but you wouldn’t know it, according to Lopes.

“She’s an inspiration, most children wouldn’t be where she is after two years. She works so hard,” Lopes said.

Before opening Adagio, Lopes had a traditional dance studio where she taught the girls. The center allows her to offer a variety of classes that fall under the arts or personal wellness category, including lessons on art, music, theater, language, and fitness.

With 67 total dancers, the center also has classes on many dance styles.

“All forms of dance, ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop - if you can dance it, we have it,” said Lopes’ sister-in-law and general manager Amanda Souza.

Lopes and the girls will travel to Hyannis to compete in the “Spirit of Dance” competition, held July 18-21.