Michael Havay

Michael Havay is a lifelong student of music. For much of his education and career he was a string player, first as a double bassist, then as a violinist. He received a degree in violin performance from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, and was a member of the Harrisburg Symphony for four years, and a founding member of the Valley String Quartet. In 1990 Michael followed his lifelong desire to learn the pipe organ. He studied with Douglas Brown and Susan Marchant. He held various church music positions prior to coming to the Congregational Church of Amherst. Michael has presented a number of solo and ensemble concerts at the church to support the restoration and maintenance of its 1871 William Johnson tracker organ. He is a member of the Organ Historical Society and the American Guild of Organists, where he has served as a chapter dean, newsletter editor, and workshop presenter with a special interest in educational programs for children and youth. Michael is Class and Ensemble Manager at Indian Hill Music School. He has been associated with IHM since 2005, first as School Manager, and then as Director of Education from 2007-2016.