According to 11-year-old Connor Segraves of Loyalsock Township, the best part of performing music is “the excitement of people enjoying it.”

The excitement recently could be found at area nursing and assisted living homes in our area, as Connor spent December playing Christmas music for the residents on the piano and trumpet.

This year the duo visited Valley View, Hillside, Williamsport Home and We Care to spread holiday cheer.

This is the second year he has taken this mission, along with Carole Steiger, his grandmother and music coach.

Steiger also has the task of being the MC of his performances.

Steiger introduces each song and even holds open the occasional uncooperative music book open to the correct page during his performances.

This year’s songs included “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” which brought a laugh to the crowd recently at Valley View nursing home.

“I thought it was sensational. It’s hard to believe that he is that good,” said Valley View resident Carol Hills, “He’s gonna get famous one of these days, I bet you.”

Connor’s music teacher, Lisa Itts, who has taught him piano for the last few years would agree.

“For an 11-year-old kid he is pretty exceptional,” said Itts.

After performing at his first show at an area nursing home last Christmas season, Connor asked his grandmother if he would have to wait until the next year to perform at the homes again.

So the duo got the idea to not wait and put together a show for the summer.

Connor and his grandmother took the show on the road in July and August, visiting area senior living facilities and performing patriotic songs.

Segraves also handed a small American flag to each resident last summer, asking them to wave it as he sang and played, which brought smiles to the faces of the seniors as they sang along.

“They enjoy it so much, they don’t see many other people because some people don’t get visited a lot,” shared Segraves last summer.

Instead of flags, this Christmas Segraves handed out some of the 200 crocheted bells to the residents so they could ring them for some of the songs.

Segraves also took the time to introduce himself and shake hands with every resident in the audience, something he did without prompting from his grandmother.

“He is very quirky and funny and has an affinity for older people, said Itts.

Segraves has also been playing the trumpet for about a year and recently picked up the ukulele.

The trumpet he plays is special, it was manufactured in Williamsport and was used by his great-grandfather during World War II.

He tries to practice his music for at least 45 minutes every day.

He is a natural musician, he will be good at all of the instruments he wants to learn, shared Itts.

Connor is not only a natural with music but also in his interactions with other people, said Itts.

“Connor is a highly motivated, talented young man who exudes a positive spirit,” said Becky Ciabattari, music director at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.”

“Our experiences together have been with him playing for a service at church over the summer and he is working on a selection for our Christmas Eve service coming up soon. I have been delighted to hear how easily he matches his voice with his piano playing, which is not an easy thing to do especially for someone who is just barely a teenager,” added Ciabattari.

“He may have perfect pitch,” said Itts.

“Connor is a kind, funny, and talented young man. He has played at our church and at various nursing homes in the area. One of the things I appreciate about him is that he seems to want to perform not for recognition, but for the benefit of his audience,” said The Rev. Jeff LeCrone of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

“He is a really good kid, very helpful,” added Itts.

“I always say to him, ‘what’s the word of the day? ‘It’s fun, we want to give these people fun,” said Steiger last summer after one of his performances at The Williamsport Home.

As for advice for musicians who may want to play in front of a crowd, “You should just try to be yourself, just try your best, it’ll be fine,” shared Connor with a smile.