A native of Michigan, he received the Bachelor of Music (with high distinction) and the Master of Music degrees in Tuba Performance from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Prior to coming to Missouri, Stein taught at Central Michigan University, The University of Colorado at Boulder, and The University of Southern Mississippi. He has performed with numerous orchestras, wind ensembles, and chamber ensembles: Mississippi Symphony, principal tuba; Colorado Mahlerfest Orchestra, principal tuba; Colorado Festival Orchestra; Aspen Festival and Chamber Orchestras; Detroit Symphony; Missouri Brass; Capital Brass; and the Colorado Brass Quintet to name a few.

Stein is active throughout the United States as a recitalist, clinician and soloist, and has been a guest artist in residence at several universities and academies. As a soloist, he has appeared with several orchestras and wind ensembles throughout the U.S., has been featured in a variety of state and regional conferences, and has appeared in six European countries. Most recently, Stein has been invited to be a featured recitalist at the 2000 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Stein's students are very active in state, regional, national and international competitions. Recently, his students won the following major performance awards: finalist, 1999 Falcone Solo Euphonium Competition - Artist Division; finalists (one of three chosen internationally), 1999 International Tuba-Euphonium Quartet Competition; finalist, 1999 Colonial Euphonium-Tuba Institute Solo Euphonium Competition; 1996, 1998, 1999 National Music Teachers Association Southeast Regional Collegiate Artist Solo Competition; first place, second place, third place, and honorable mention, 1997 Southeast Tuba-Euphonium Regional Conference (SETERC) Solo Competitions; first place, 1997 SETERC Quartet Competition.

Stein has studied with Abe Torchinsky, Warren Deck, Wesley Jacobs, and Rex Conner.

Stein plays on Willson tubas and euphoniums and is a clinician for DEG Music Products, Inc., and the Willson Instrument Company.