Often despondent clients at local seniors homes will suddenly start tapping their feet, swaying in their seats, and smiling as Paul Luongo and his band of merry students stop in for a visit 鈥� and some music.

It鈥檚 knowing how much their music touches all types of audiences that motivate both Luongo 鈥� the former student turned musical director 鈥� as well as the current members of the ensemble to volunteer so much time during the holiday season spreading holiday cheer through music.

One student, Alessandra Lechuga, is psyched by these experiences.

鈥淚 like knowing that our music makes them happy for that moment and hopefully stays with them a while after our performance, as well,鈥� she said.

Others shared similar sentiments, saying the shows are as rewarding for them as for the people they鈥檙e there to entertain.

鈥淚t feels nice to perform for the senior community during this time because the audience has been really interested in it making the performances more enjoyable,鈥� said O-ren Imai.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to see that we can spread joy to them and make them happy,鈥� shared Melissa Booth.

鈥淧laying for seniors at this time of year is a great experience and I hope to perform for them again next year.鈥� said Esther Bellefontaine.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see all the smiles on the people鈥檚 faces when performing,鈥� interjected Ashia Jeon. 鈥淜nowing that our music is bringing them joy is a feeling I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�

In the months of November and December, members of the 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble in three of the four different age groups of students are spreading a lot of cheer.

They鈥檙e performing in close to 60 Christmas shows throughout the Lower Mainland 鈥� including numerous stops at seniors homes, community festivals, the Fort, Glow Christmas, and charity drives such as the 91原创 Christmas Bureau鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Wish Breakfast, the CTV Toy Mountain, Global TV鈥檚 wish breakfast, and next week鈥檚 CKNW Orphans鈥� Fund pledge day.

Clara Joo: 鈥淚t fulfills me when I see the audience smiling as they listen to the music we make,鈥� said Clara Joo, one of about 75 students who are participating in the various shows this Christmas season.

鈥淚 feel the need to give back to the community during the holiday season,鈥� said Lida Magnus, 鈥渁nd I really get that sense from performing for seniors and the community. When the audience positively responds to a performance, I feel like I have accomplished my goal as a musician.鈥�

鈥淚ts feels joyful to bring happiness to the members who cant get out into the community. Its wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of the people we perform too,鈥� added Sara Thoeny.

Danika Gammie said it鈥檚 not just the audience who are fulfilled by these show. She and other students get so much reward out of the experience, as well.

鈥淚t makes me proud to know that all of the effort we put into our music can make both ourselves and others happy and that our music really does enrich both our lives and those of others.,鈥� Gammie said.

Among the upcoming shows is their own fundraising concerts happening this Saturday at the Willoughby Christian Reformed Church.

Tickets are still available for The Themes of Christmas concerts being held Saturday, Dec. 8.

For the first time in several years 鈥� there will be two shows in one day, the first at 3:30 p.m. and the second at 7:30.

These hometown concerts will feature the 91原创 senior A and B ensembles. Tickets are available at or by calling the box office at 604-340-8537 (UKES).

鈥淭his annual Christmas concert tradition, that has sold out over the past few years, is gaining more popularity due to its enjoyable program and getting audiences in the Christmas spirit and mood,鈥� Luongo said.

These shows are a fundraiser for the ensemble鈥檚 annual trip to Hawaii. Next summer they鈥檒l be performing their 25th annual show at the Sheraton Waikiki.

The group has also received a formal invitation to perform in Hamburg, Germany in October 鈥� a first ever for the ensemble.

鈥淲e are likely to make this trip happen, if all goes as planned with raising funds through performances like these upcoming two Christmas concerts,鈥� Luongo said.

鈥淲e encourage the community of 91原创 to come out and support the ensemble that has successfully made 91原创 known as the 鈥榰kulele capital of Canada鈥�.鈥�