Dr. Arnstein is well known in the Twin Cities area as a pianist and composer. He has often served as pianist and harpsichordist with the Minnesota Orchestra, and has accompanied many members of the Twin Cities’ two main orchestras and college music faculties. A winner of international competitions in both composition and piano, he has toured the Midwest as pianist and composer-in-residence for the Sylmar Chamber Ensemble, was a frequent pianist with the Macalester Trio, and currently teaches at the St. Paul Conservatory of Music.

He has performed many times at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, as both piano soloist and harpsichord soloist, as accompanist for violinist Michael Antonello, and as part of the piano trio, Trio di Vita, which premiered his Trio Jazzico Nostalgico and Scottish Fantasy. He has recorded seven CDs with Antonello which have all received enthusiastic reviews in Fanfare magazine.

Dr. Arnstein’s compositions include more than a hundred chamber music works, hundreds of piano solos and duets, and music for orchestra and chorus. His music has been published in both the United States and Europe.

He has a doctorate in piano from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master's from the University of Illinois-Urbana, and a Bachelor's from the Manhattan School of Music. In his spare time he writes mystery novels and humorous short stories.