Jazz Singer Terry Blaine: Music Therapy & Vegetarian Food

Published: Sept. 29, 2010, 5 p.m.

b'Today I chat with Terry Blaine, who is an internationally renowned jazz singer. She has enjoyed a varied musical career, including concert performances, radio, TV, recording and production. She is one of the few contemporary jazz vocalists specializing in the hot small band swing music from the 1930\'s. Terry is also a music therapist and she is internship director at Hospice, Inc., serving patients and families in Dutchess and Ulster Counties in New York\'s beautiful mid-Hudson Valley. Music Therapy is an integral part of the compassionate care provided by hospice professionals, helping to improve the quality of life for those facing terminal illness by addressing physical needs, offering emotional support, and encouraging spiritual connection to promote comfort, acceptance and peace. At Hospice, Inc., Terry provides clinical music therapy services to hospice patients and families in the home care, nursing home, and hospital settings, oversees the Education Program for Music Therapy Interns, coordinates music for children\'s bereavement groups and public memorials, and promotes an annual concert at Bard College called "Healing Voices, Caring Hearts" that raises awareness (and funds!) for the music therapy program. She is also an adjunct at SUNY New Paltz, teaching voice to music therapy students. This fall, Terry will be on tour singing classic jazz with longtime compatriots Mark Shane and Allan Vache. Terry lives in West Hurley, NY with her husband, composer/producer Tom Desisto, and their son, Michael.'