by Victoria Stearns, Public Relations Writer
In celebration of its fifth anniversary as a Cedarville University student organization, Ayo will host its Fall Showcase at 7 p.m. on November 13 and 14 at the Cedarville Opera House.
Student organizations, often referred to as “orgs” at Cedarville, are groups of 10 or more students who are committed to a holistic approach to student development through a commitment to the org’s purpose – in Ayo’s case, worshipful dance. All organizations are run through Cedarville’s Student Life Programs.
Members will perform dances of various styles, including lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, swing, ballet and Broadway.
Tickets to the Fall Showcase are $3 and may be purchased at the door.
Ayo seeks to glorify God with artistic movement by encouraging the development of dance ability through student collaboration. The organization’s name means “joy” in Yoruba, a language native to the African nation of Nigeria.
“I am a self-taught hip-hop dancer, and I’ve always wanted to use my talent to give back to the Lord,” said Jonathan Corraccio, a senior computer science major from Rosamond, California, and Ayo president. “Ayo gave me a way to combine my passion for dance and people and use that as an expressive outlet for praising the Lord.”
Currently there are more than 100 members in the organization, which includes dancers in a wide range of styles and skill levels.
“I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old and after getting involved with Ayo in my college years, I have had the chance to pour my dance knowledge into beginning dancers,” said Sabrina Frindley, a junior nursing major from Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Ayo’s vice president.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 18 87, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings.
Student organizations, often referred to as “orgs” at Cedarville, are groups of 10 or more students who are committed to a holistic approach to student development through a commitment to the org’s purpose – in Ayo’s case, worshipful dance. All organizations are run through Cedarville’s Student Life Programs.
Members will perform dances of various styles, including lyrical, jazz, tap, hip-hop, swing, ballet and Broadway.
Tickets to the Fall Showcase are $3 and may be purchased at the door.
Ayo seeks to glorify God with artistic movement by encouraging the development of dance ability through student collaboration. The organization’s name means “joy” in Yoruba, a language native to the African nation of Nigeria.
“I am a self-taught hip-hop dancer, and I’ve always wanted to use my talent to give back to the Lord,” said Jonathan Corraccio, a senior computer science major from Rosamond, California, and Ayo president. “Ayo gave me a way to combine my passion for dance and people and use that as an expressive outlet for praising the Lord.”
Currently there are more than 100 members in the organization, which includes dancers in a wide range of styles and skill levels.
“I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old and after getting involved with Ayo in my college years, I have had the chance to pour my dance knowledge into beginning dancers,” said Sabrina Frindley, a junior nursing major from Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Ayo’s vice president.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 18 87, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings.