Violinist Dean Stein has performed throughout the world in recital, with orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and as soloist. His performances frequently garner critical acclaim, as in a recording of which ‘The Strad’ magazine wrote, “Dean Arthur Stein excels in the first violin’s improvisatory cadenza, his fierce yet luxuriant tone setting the mood…”
Mr. Stein was honored to be chosen as first violinist of the Portland String Quartet in 2013, the first change of personnel in the distinguished PSQ’s history since it’s formation in 1969.
In 2009, Mr. Stein, together with oboist Kathleen McNerney, created VentiCordi Chamber Music, focusing on combining wind and string instruments. Their performances each summer in the Kennebunks and throughout Maine have been enthusiastically received and critically acclaimed.
From 2003 – 08 Mr. Stein directed the Arcady Music Festival in Bar Harbor, Maine. At Arcady, he performed in chamber ensembles, brought internationally renowned artists to perform in Down East Maine, and gave high priority to educational programs, bringing musicians to perform directly for Maine schoolchildren.
Mr. Stein also currently performs as violinist with the Atlantic Piano Trio, is the concertmaster of the Maine Music Society, and enjoys a violin/piano partnership with Pamela Mia Paul.
Chamber music audiences have heard Mr. Stein in performances from Ogunquit to Orono, Glasgow, Montreal, Music Mountain, Eastern Music Festival, Harvard, Bowdoin and Bates Colleges and many more venues.
A highly sought after teacher and clinician, Mr. Stein is on the faculty of Bowdoin and Bates Colleges, coaches string quartets with the PSQ at Newagen Seaside Inn, St. Joseph’s College and Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, and has taught at New England Conservatory’s Preparatory Division, and University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
He studied first with Margaret Berend at the Henry Street Settlement, then at The Juilliard School with Lewis Kaplan and Ivan Galamian, and at University of Maryland, College Park, with Gerald Fischbach and members of the Guarneri String Quartet.