Charles Bernstein, a multifaceted and accomplished film composer, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and later relocated to Los Angeles with his family at a young age. Demonstrating exceptional musical talent, Bernstein conducted his own orchestral music at the age of sixteen and went on to study composition with renowned instructors Vitorio Giannini and Vincent Persichetti at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City.
Bernstein's academic pursuits continued at the University of California, where he received an Outstanding Graduate of the College Award, a Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship, and a Chancellor's Doctoral Teaching Fellowship. During this time, he had the opportunity to work alongside American composer Roy Harris.
Known for his eclectic style, which seamlessly blends elements of comedy, drama, action, and horror, Bernstein has composed scores for a wide range of films, including several drive-in exploitation features. His work on "That Man Bolt," "Invasion of the Bee Girls," and "White Lightning" showcases his ability to adapt to different genres and create memorable, catchy tunes.
In the horror genre, Bernstein's scores are particularly notable for their chilling effectiveness. His work on films like "Hex," "Sweet Kill," "The Entity," "Cujo," "A Nightmare on Elm Street," and "Deadly Friend" has garnered critical acclaim and earned him a Saturn Award nomination for Best Music for "The Entity."
In addition to his film work, Bernstein has also composed scores for numerous made-for-TV movies, earning him Emmy Award nominations for his work on "Enslavement," "The Sea Wolf," and "The Man Who Broke A 1,000 Chains." His score for "Little Miss Perfect" won an Emmy Award, while his score for "The Man Who Broke A 1,000 Chains" received a Cable ACE Award nomination for Original Score.
Outside of his work in film and television, Bernstein has also composed music for Off-Broadway theater, modern dance, and the World Festival of Sacred Music. He has performed jazz in the cellars of Paris, danced and played folk music with the Greeks and gypsies from the Balkans, and has had his music featured in hip-hop samples and the 2023 hit song "Rich Flex" by Drake and 21 Savage.
Bernstein has written two acclaimed books, "Film Music and Everything Else" and "Movie Music: An Insider's View," which earned him an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for his writing on music. He has served as a former Vice President and long-serving member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors, and is currently a Vice President and Board member of the Society of Composers and Lyricists. Bernstein is also a member of the Board of Directors of the ASCAP Foundation and has taught on the graduate film scoring faculty at USC, as well as hosting an annual film scoring seminar at UCLA Extension.
