EXTASIS, the Denver-based tango ensemble, was first formed in 1997 by cellist Evan Orman and violinist Erin Furbee, both of whom shared an insterest in the popular music Argentina, especially that of Astor Piazzolla.  Since then, various incarnations of the group emerged, including a variety of musicians and instrumental combinations that have led up to the present configuration of a quartet consisting of bandoneon, violin, piano, and bass:  a classic orquesta tipica.  In 1999, Erin and Evan received a grant from Tango Colorado, which allowed them to study this music first hand in Buenos Aires. Bassist Ken Harper, the assistant principle bassist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra since 1994, has written many of the ensemble's arrangements of classic tangos.  Born in New Jersey, he earned degrees from James Madison University and Rice University and has performed with the orchestras of San Antonio and New Orleans, as well as the Houston Ballet and the Houston Symphony.  His dedication and tenacity for achieving the true true spirit and style of Argentine tango has allowed Extasis to become a favorite among tango dancers in the area. Violinist Claude Sim began his music studies at an early age.  A native of Chicago, his primary teachers were Roland and Almita Vamos, Rachel Barton, and Greg Fulkerson.  He graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he served as concertmaster and soloist with the Oberlin Orchestra.  An active chamber musician, Claude has enjoyed collaborations with the critically acclaimed Miro and Pacifica Quartets in concerts across the United States.  His performances have been featured on NPR and WNIB Classical Radio Chicago.  At age 21, Claude was appointed Associate Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and has since performed as soloist with the orchestra. On piano, Michael Tilley studied with primary teacher Robert Spillman, Gregory Dyes (jazz) and Alvin Chow at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he received undergraduate degress in piano and molecular biology.  Since graduation, Michael has toured Colorado with a variety of ensembles, running the gamut from classical and jazz to the seminal Boulder band Moonshine Moses. This fall, he returns to CU for graduate studies with collaborative piano guru Anne Epperson. Evan Orman studied cello at the North Carolina School of the Arts and the New England Conservatory and has a shop in Denver where he specializes in the making and repair of bows for stringed instruments.  Evan's interest in the bandoneón, a large, complex member of the concertina family, and the music of Astor Piazzolla prompted him to acquire his first instrument in 1996.  He now owns and plays two bandoneóns by Alfred Arnold (Carlsfeld, Germany) ca. 1936 and 1943. Contact information: Evan Orman 3201 Shoshone   #307 Denver, CO  80211 303.458.5023