"Joan's Closet" is a labor of love by Trustee Emerita Dr. Joan Taub Ades (HonDMA '14), giving current MSM students gently-used audition and recital gowns and outfits.
Providing our gifted young musicians with attire for auditions and recitals is so very important, enabling them to make a dazzling first impression upon a judge or audience. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ades and so many others, hundreds of our students, each academic year, are provided with wardrobe essentials that are so vital to their musical careers.
We are delighted to announce the 13th Annual Joan’s Closet event, open exclusively to Manhattan School of Music students, will take place in MSM’s Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Performance Space in February of 2024.
In-kind donations made prior to January 30, 2024, will be included in the upcoming event.
The importance of the right choice of performance attire
When a future world-class musician at Manhattan School of Music is preparing for an audition or recital, what they wear is important when making a first impression upon a judge or audience. Depending on a performer’s discipline, attire can play a vital part in the total presentation.
We hope that you will consider helping Dr. Ades in her mission!
Joan’s Closet is looking for the following items:
- dresses
- gowns
- dress shoes
- shawls and wraps
- accessories
Press
Joan’s Closet featured on New York’s CBS2 October 2013, available online now.
Joan Ades has been featured as a “Donor of the Day” by The Wall Street Journal.
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Ways to Donate
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About Dr. Joan Taub Ades
Joan Taub Ades (HonDMA ’14) is a prominent member of New York’s premiere music philanthropic circles. 13 years ago, Joan quietly created “Joan’s Closet,” to support our young talented musicians on their journey to reach the stars. Much like a job interview, Joan recognizes the need for performers to “look the part,” and with her knowledgeable guidance, the Closet continues to grow and thrive.
Dr. Ades ensures that students receive guidance on the latest trends in performance fashion, and leave the annual event with a showtime-ready outfit, free of charge. Joan, who with her late husband Alan M. Ades (HonDMA ’14), have been long-time supporters of MSM. Alan was a former board member, and Joan’s dedication and love of MSM reaches well beyond the Closet.
Dr. Ades also generously support the School’s Annual Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Vocal Competition, and she has also spearheaded additional MSM initiatives. As a key component of their philanthropic efforts, in 2007, MSM dedicated the Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Performance Space. This versatile performance and event space accommodates 215 people and is outfitted for performances featuring dance, theater, or multimedia elements. Joan is also a former board member of the American Ballet Theater, served as president of Horizon Concerts, and was a docent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among many other activities. She has a graduate degree from New York University.
