MJ Territo is a jazz vocalist, music educator, and writer. She is the founder of the Ladies Day Jazz Ensemble, a group of female jazz musicians dedicated to preserving and performing the compositions of classic and contemporary jazz women. The group’s CD “Ladies Day” was widely acclaimed in jazz publications, including DownBeat Magazine. As a music educator and ArtsWestchester Teaching Artist, MJ has worked in schools and community settings throughout Westchester County. She is the creator of “Singin’ and Swingin’, a series of jazz singing programs for people 50+, three of which have been presented at the Will Branch of the YPL. She has also been a vocal coach for the Yonkers Idol Singing Competition for 10 years. As a child, MJ lived within walking distance of her neighborhood branch of the Trenton (NJ) Public Library, and most summer days included a trip to get a new book. In high school, she and her best friend skipped school from time to time, and where did they head? Down the shore? Never! They took the train to Princeton to sneak into the Princeton University library - to read books, not to meet boys! MJ is married to book lover Richard Fursland, and is having fun reading her daughter Emma’s books to Emma’s son, James.