Kindred teen singing 'God Bless America' at Twins game Sunday

Kensey Knight, 13, of Kindred wants her voice to sound just right as she prepares for her big stadium debut.

She’s doing voice exercises Thursday evening at the West Fargo home of voice teacher Deb Wald.

When she’s not singing with her teacher, Knight's usually singing on her own.

‘I’m just in class humming it or padding to the beat by myself or thinking through the notes,” Knight said.

The notes she’s speaking of is for “God Bless America.” Knight is singing it on Sunday at Target Field during the seventh inning stretch of the Twins game.

Knight admitted that she has some butterflies, yet Wald said she shouldn't focus on it.

“Focus on the techniques that you have learned and just kind of practice it enough so that it becomes second nature. That it becomes muscle memory in your chords,” Wald said.

Focusing too much on the butterflies Wald cautioned can get Knight out of tune.

“Whenever you're performing it can be a head game,” Wald said.

Knight said the chance to sing “God Bless America" on Sunday sort of came out of the blue.

“I was in school and then the office called me down,” Knight said.

Knight was told Monday to be prepared by Sunday to belt out a tune during the 7th inning stretch.

Before the start of the baseball season, Knight’s family had sent an audition tape to the Minnesota Twins. She'd been singing at her church, and at plays and shows. However, this is a different stage.

Her teacher Wald said the most important thing is to appreciate the opportunity.

“She's talented and she's teachable and that combination, you can get a lot of success with that,” Wald said.

Knight’s family and friends acknowledge this is the chance of a lifetime. Still, the 13-year-old said she's staying grateful and humble throughout it all.

The game starts at 1:10 p.m.