Mr. Lay has been with Givens Violins since 1986. He graduated from the Violin Making School of America and worked for Peter Paul Prier, Inc. for several years, serving the last two of those years as foreman of the workshop. In 1986, the year he joined Givens Violins, one of his violins won a certificate for tone at the Violin Society of America’s International Competition in Portland, Oregon. His extensive knowledge of stringed instrument making and restoration is founded upon hands-on experience.

At the Workshop Bench: An Interview with Givens Violins’ Workshop Manager, Doug Lay