Andrea Swift's dance education began before she started taking formal lessons.

"My mom used to teach dance. I grew up with it," said Andrea, a North Augusta High School sophomore who has taken lessons for seven years.

Friday and Saturday, she and North Augusta High senior Rebekah Lowry will perform with the Columbia County Ballet in its production Peter and the Wolf: Books Through Ballet and Other Short Works at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center in Columbia County.

Rebekah has been dancing for 12 years.

"It's my outlet," she said. "It keeps me active, and that's a good thing."

The dancers take classes and rehearse at least four days a week.

In the upcoming show, Andrea and Rebekah are in the same two repertoire pieces, Fun Pool and Ashes. Other works in the program include Peter and the Wolf and a piece based on the music of Disney shows.

Ashes and Fun Pool are quite different, said Rebekah.

"Fun Pool is really happy and jazzy. Ashes is not happy. It's intense, dark and dramatic," she said.

Ashes was choreographed by a man who had just learned he was terminally ill. The piece takes the dancers through his emotional journey as he comes to terms with his mortality.

"He put all of his anger and emotion in it," said Andrea.

While the two agreed they enjoyed the more upbeat piece, the somber Ashes is their favorite to perform.

"It's more challenging," said Rebekah.

The performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for students and senior citizens. For more information, call (706) 860-1852.