In 2002 Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music established the ARC Ensemble (Artists of the Royal Conservatory) as the organization’s ensemble-in-residence. In the two decades since, it has become one of the country’s most distinguished cultural ambassadors, earning several Grammy, Juno and OPUS Klassik nominations, and appearing at major festivals and venues around the world. ARC’s repertoire is unique to the ensemble, and is largely dedicated to music suppressed and marginalized under the 20th century's repressive regimes, works the ensemble has researched and reintroduced to the repertoire. The ensemble believes that in neglecting them, we have both silently supported the policies that led to their exclusion, and presented a distorted view of musical history as a result. The ARC Ensemble’s concerts and recordings, have led to a substantial number of extraordinary works joining the repertoire. ARC Ensemble appearances include the Budapest Spring Festival, the Enescu Festival, New York's Lincoln Center Festival, Canada's Stratford Festival, the Concertgebouw, Wigmore Hall and Washington's Kennedy Center. Its “Music in Exile” series has been presented in Tel Aviv, Warsaw, Toronto, New York and London, and its performances and recordings continue to earn unanimous critical acclaim, as well as frequent broadcasts around the world. ARC’s core members are Erika Raum and Marie Bérard, violins; Steven Dann, viola; Tom Wiebe, cello; Joaquin Valdepeñas, cello and Kevin Ahfat, piano. ARC’s Artistic Director is Simon Wynberg, its Honorary Chairman is James Conlon. (arcensemble.com)