as a young conductor, ronald bernstein has a promising career ahead of him.conducted orchestras all over the world. but his performances were fwreenthly disrupted by intense mood swings. >> being on the top of the world and that kind of fits into the personal -- general persona of a maestro, so it can go undetected. >> reporter: in 1985 he was diagnosed as bipolar. there were long periods when he struggled to get out of bed. he claims he was fired because of his mental condition. >> good. good. ♪ >> reporter: in response the 58-year-old created the me-to orchestra made of musicians with meantal illnesses, and those who love them. for this man who has schizophrenia, the group gives him purpose. >> they just had me on a bunch of meds and sitting around, and i couldn't get anywhere. >> reporter: the unique orchestra has helped soften the stigma often associated with a mental illness. >> all i want to do is support him and make sure he is in a place where he can be the greatest artist that he can be, because i could see that there was magic when he got on the pod