ME2/orchestra is a model organization where people with and without mental illness work side-by-side in an environment where acceptance is an expectation, patience is encouraged, and supporting each other is a priority.

Ronald Braunstein, the Music Director of ME2/, received his musical background at The Juilliard School, Salzburg Mozarteum, Fontainbleau, and the Tanglewood Music Center. His teachers included Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, and Nadia Boulanger. Immediately following his graduation from Juilliard, Mr. Braunstein won the Gold Medal in the Herbert von Karajan International Conducting Competition and spent the next four years working with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has conducted orchestras around the world including the San Francisco Symphony, Oslo Philharmonic, Auckland Philharmonia, Israel Sinfonietta, and Tokyo Symphony. Mr. Braunstein was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1985. He launched ME2/orchestra in 2011 because of his desire to support others who struggle to maintain good mental health.

The Executive Director of ME2/ is Caroline Whiddon, a nonprofit administrator with more than 17 years of experience in orchestra leadership. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association where she completed a successful $2 million capital campaign, presented the VYO in their Carnegie Hall debut, and implemented two international concert tours. She is a past Chair of the Youth Orchestra Division of the League of American Orchestras, and a recent graduate of the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont Leadership Institute. Ms. Whiddon received her Bachelor’s degree in French horn performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder more than 20 years ago.

Board of Directors: Lisa Angstman, Lori Bottom, Gary Clark, Peter Dwyer, and Ann Moore