The first time I sang the National Anthem for an audience was in college when I came home for my former dance studio’s end-of-year recital. It was in a small high school auditorium—the dancers’ families made up the majority of the crowd.

Despite having done musical theater in high school and not ever experiencing true stage fright, I found myself feeling very nervous. I had fallen out of practice performing in front of crowds during college and it is an intimidating song. But still, I performed.

Little did I know years later, I’d be belting out our star spangled banner for 64,000 people at Ford Field to kick off one of my brother’s football games—and that it would be the most exhilarating 1 minute 30 seconds of my life!

At this point, it’s my most-practiced song and I have found such joy and passion in singing it for all to hear.