Conversations with Nikki Naghavi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Naghavi.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a classically trained violinist and the founder of Glass Artists, a national entertainment agency providing live music for weddings, corporate events, and brand activations.

My background is in performance—I studied violin at the New England Conservatory and have performed at venues like Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall, as well as with ensembles such as the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Tanglewood Music Center. During that time, I saw a gap between the level of musicianship coming out of conservatories and the way live music was being presented at events.

I started Glass Artists to bridge that gap—bringing a higher level of artistry, professionalism, and intentionality to the event space. What began as a small network of musicians has grown into an agency representing conservatory-trained talent, offering everything from string quartets to jazz ensembles and electric violin with DJ.

Today, we work with clients ranging from private wedding couples to luxury brands like Cartier, Bentley, and SERHANT, focusing on creating elevated, seamless live music experiences. The business has grown quickly through a combination of strong client relationships, clear positioning, and a focus on quality, and I’m now focused on scaling it into a national agency.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and most of the challenges came from learning how to run a business in real time while still being an active performer.

Early on, one of the biggest struggles was positioning—figuring out how to clearly differentiate Glass Artists in a saturated events market. There are many musicians available for hire, but very few operate with a consistent standard of professionalism, communication, and branding. It took time to refine the messaging and build trust with clients who were making high-stakes decisions for important events.

Operationally, scaling has been another challenge. Coordinating multiple musicians across different events, managing contracts, timelines, and expectations, and ensuring a seamless client experience requires strong systems. In the beginning, a lot of that was manual, and mistakes or miscommunications were part of the learning process.

There have also been moments where not having everything formally documented—contracts, payment terms, scope of work—led to difficult situations. That reinforced the importance of having clear agreements in place, especially in an industry where timelines are tight and expectations are high.

On the talent side, building a reliable roster has required selectivity. Not every great musician is the right fit for events, so developing a team that aligns with both the musical standard and the level of professionalism expected by clients has been an ongoing process.

Overall, the challenges have been less about the concept and more about execution—learning how to operate at a high level consistently, while growing quickly.

I feel confident that we have built a clear system and talented roster of musicians to operate the company.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of the areas I specialize in is bridging classical performance with contemporary event production. Performing with DJs allows us to shift the role of live music from background ambiance to a central, high-energy element of the event. I perform on electric violin and integrate directly into the DJ’s set—matching tempo, key, and energy in real time. It creates a more immersive experience for guests while maintaining a polished, elevated sound.

How do you define success?
I think success feels like waking up excited for the day more often than not. It’s not a numbers game or about an encyclopedia of awards.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.glassartists.info
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glass.artists/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551114711587
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-naghavi/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Glass.Artists
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/glass-artists-boston?osq=Glass+Artists