Sharaya Summers grew up in Portland, Oregon, where her love for music was nurtured within the walls of her church. Singing in the church choir and youth group provided her with the first opportunities to explore her vocal talents. Reflecting on her early years, Sharaya acknowledges that her initial draw to church might have been more about the music than the spirituality, but she believes that doing what brings joy is its own form of worship.
Sharaya’s upbringing in Portland, known for its rich musical heritage, influenced her folk-driven sound. She eventually followed her songwriting aspirations to Nashville, Tennessee, before spending eight years in Los Angeles, where her career began to take shape.