A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Mr. Braunstein began studying violin at age seven and viola at age 19. He studied with Philip Teibel, Donald Weilerstein, David and Linda Cerone and Robert Vernon. Mr Braunstein earned a bachelors’ and masters’ degree from Cleveland Institute of Music in 1979, 1980.

Mr. Braunstein’s performance career in the ‘80s and ‘90s spanned the globe: Assistant Principal Viola for the Cleveland Orchestra, Principal Viola for the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Violist for the Tononi Quartet, member of Kansas City Philharmonic and Chautauqua Symphony. As a soloist, he performed in England, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy and the United States.

In 1989, Mr. Braunstein recorded for Virgo Records a transcription of the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Academy of London Chamber Orchestra, arranged by Lionel Tertis.

Mr. Braunstein is co founder and President of the Redlands Chamber Music Society.

Mr. Braunstein served on the faculties of the Hong Kong Conservatory of Music and Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory. He has taught masterclasses at the University of Redlands Community of Music Summer Program, LaSierra University, Department of Music, Bowling Green University, University of Kansas City Missouri Conservatory of Music, University of Michigan Department of Music, Oklahoma City University, Northwestern University school of Music, Eastern Music Festival and Blossom Festival. His writings on injury rehabilitation were published in an autobiographical article in American String Teacher Journal in 1995.

Masters of Music, The Cleveland Institute of Music

Principal Viola  Hong Kong Philharmonic

Assistant Principal Viola The Cleveland Orchestra

Presentation on Rehabilitation from Dystonia in musicians the 2008 International Viola Congress

Executive Director of the Redlands Chamber Music Society