Irvine's move into the forefront of the local music scene has been a long time coming, and she's spent her life preparing for it. She grew up around music and started off singing in her church choir. Her father arranged for her to study singing with Melveen Leed, so she grew up around talented professionals like Leed, Loyal Garner and John Rowles. Irvine later became affiliated with Loki Obrero Sasil and Malia Rosa Kahahawai, who, as the group Leahi, were former protegés of producer Matt Young.

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