I found a workaround that made me able to hear the output. I deployed the balenaSound application
initially by installing the CLI and pushed it BUT my services were not listed. I changed the variables but it didn’t work. I found another forum entry that said to use the “Deploy with Balena” button (located on this page: https://sound.balenalabs.io/docs/ ) which worked. I just need to now work on playing music via the 3.5mm jack which I assume can be done with a new variable.
Prior forum post that was helpful here: balenaSound no services on raspberry pi 3b