F O U N D E R S
RyaN
Hiers
Ryan grew up in Bradenton, Florida and gained a love of music from a young age in part through singing in the children’s choir at Christ Episcopal Church. The son of a Priest and a Teacher, education and community enrichment have been foundational principles in his life. As a highschooler Ryan performed in the Clearwater High School Marching Tornadoes, their chorus, and numerous mainstage musicals. His senior year in addition to being selected as Drum Major, he participated in all state chorus, won the small group musical category at the Florida State Thespian Festival with 3 classmates, and was selected for the Clearwater High school performing arts award for his dedication and success in all performing arts.
In college after initially deciding to major in engineering at the Florida State University, Ryan having played with the Marching Chiefs for five years came to the realization that although he enjoyed the design and logical aspects of engineering his true passion was music. He made the hard decision to further delay graduation and switch into the highly competitive college of music at FSU, graduating with a B.A. in music on saxophone. It was during this time however, that he rediscovered his love for theater, performing in multiple local Tallahassee shows and a Florida tour of the Rocky Horror Show.
After graduating he moved to northern Virginia to work with Edrie Means Weekly and hone his acting and vocal skills. While in Virginia he performed two summers with Shenandoah Summer Music Theater. Upon arriving in New York City in 2016 he hit the ground running booking a role in Jekyll and Hyde at the Players Theatre where he met Sarah Glassman who music directed the show. They became fast friends by working together in other shows and spending evenings at the piano bar. They made the decision to found HiGlass in 2017 after realizing there weren’t many opportunities for people new to the city and trying to get their feet wet in theater. It is with this mindset that they have worked to make HiGlass a company that works for the performer as well as the audience.
He is grateful to all of the people, performers, audience members, and friends that have dedicated their time, money, energy, and talents to make HiGlass come to life. Looking to the future he plans to help HiGlass grow into the force for education and community enrichment that he has been striving for all his life.
Sarah Glassman
Sarah is an actor, singer, songwriter, teacher, and pianist, whose work has enabled her to become one of the most versatile artists in NYC.
​
Originally from Western Kansas, Sarah began playing piano before she could read a book. Considered a child prodigy, she quickly advanced to studying classical piano at the collegiate level under professor John Huber. By the time she turned 12, Sarah had a professional career in the Catholic Church as an organist/pianist. During her college years, Sarah discovered her passion for singing, and went on to receive a B.A. in classical voice from Fort Hays State University under Juilliard Grad, Dr. James Brown.
​
Sarah moved to NYC in 2006, and was immediately hired as a music director for cabaret shows at Don’t Tell Mama’s. She then went on to play the role of Rapunzel in a regional production of Into the Woods, followed by an honorable performance at the Waldorf Hotel which honored Patti Lupone. She soon thereafter began studying voice with world renowned vocal coach Professor William Riley. It was Riley’s teaching technique that inspired Sarah to begin educating others as a private vocal coach throughout the Tri-State area.
​
As a music director, Sarah’s sight-reading skills have provided her with endless opportunities to work with artists of all genres. She most recently received two 2018 Josie award nominations for Music director of the year for her work on the regionally produced productions of Something’s Afoot and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Sarah was the only female nominated in this category and was also the only music director to be nominated twice. Sarah went on to receive the Josie award for Music Director of the year in June 2018 for Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Sarah’s work as a private vocal coach has done nothing but provide her with joy. She shares her knowledge at From Stage to Screen performing arts school on a weekly basis, and also coaches privately in NYC. Sarah’s students have gone on to book national tours, regional tours, and have also performed at professional ball games.
​
In 2015, Sarah formed the Sarah Glassman Band, and released her debut EP Toxic. Sarah most recently released her holiday single “Christmas Eve (Love Under the Tree this past December 2018. All of Sarah’s music can be found on ITunes and Spotify. As a performer, Sarah regularly performs in NYC piano bars. You may find Sarah at Uncle Charlie’s Piano lounge on Sunday nights. Uncle Charlie’s is located in Midtown East, not far from Grand Central Station. She also consistently works with established songwriter and musical composer Sammy Bravo and regularly collaborates with indie singer/songwriter Anna Volpe.
​
Sarah most recently founded HiGlass Productions with her colleague, seasoned performer Ryan Hiers in 2017. It’s within her production company that Sarah spawned the Nasty Women Cabaret series, which has provided a platform for people to experiment with new material in a safe, inspiring environment. Sarah is also co-writing an original musical with Hiers which is going to be workshopped in the late spring 2019.
"My favorite things about the group are their camaraderie, professionalism, and ability to utilize every moment of every rehearsal. I had to jump in, last minute, as Riff Raff in the Halloween show. This was only possible because of Sarah Glassman, Ryan Hiers, and everyone affiliated with the company's unflinching professional work ethic."
- George Adamo, Performer and Director