A girl from Westchester had her dream come true when she was chosen to sing live, on stage, at the House of Blues in Chicago.

Jessenia Quiroz, 13, was one of many children who came out to Brookfield Zoo July 15 to enter the Kidz Bop karaoke contest. She said she was nervous until she got on stage. Then it just became natural.

“I sang ‘Walking on Sunshine.’ I didn’t know the words, and I had to call my friend to download the song and let me listen to it,” Jessenia said.

Her dedication paid off when she was announced as one of four winners who was invited to the House of Blues Thursday to sing the last song performed at the concert with Kidz Bop.

Giovanna Urist, Kidz Bop coordinator, said this is the first time the group has hosted a karaoke contest giving local children a chance to sing on stage with Kidz Bop, a group of child musicians.

“Kidz Bop is one of the best-selling kids music brands in the country,” Urist said.
Urist said the four winners were judged on their energy, singing ability and all-around attitude. Quiroz said her grandmother told her about the contest, and she wanted to enter because of her passion for singing.

“I love to perform, and singing is my best quality, and I love to do it,” Jessenia said.

Keri Mateja, Jessenia’s mother, said she thought the contest would be a good avenue to showcase her talent. She said Jessenia had a really nice time at the House of Blues and might possibly pursue singing as a career.

The Kidz Bop tour is nationwide, but this event was special to Brookfield and Chicago, according to Urist.

The winners from this show performed the last song with Kidz Bop Thursday night.

The karaoke contest and the concert at the House of Blues can be seen on Comcast’s On Demand in the “Get Local” section. A Comcast spokeswoman said the timing is uncertain right now, but it will be available soon.