Invoke

Profile

quartet

Described as “…not classical but not, not classical…beautiful, adventurous, American and immediately engaging” (David Srebnik, former SiriusXM Classical Producer), Invoke strives to successfully dodge even the most valiant attempts at genre classification. The multi-instrumental quartet encompasses traditions from across America, including bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz, and minimalism. Invoke was selected to be the Young Professional String Quartet in Residence at the University of Texas at Austin from 2016-2018. Their awards include first prizes in the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, the M-Prize International Chamber Arts competition, and the Coltman Competition.

Invoke’s two albums Souls in the Mud and Furious Creek both feature original works composed by and for the group, plus the quartet has also performed and recorded numerous world premieres. Invoke believes in championing diverse American voices, including their ongoing commissioning project American Postcards, which asks composers to pick a time and place in American history and tell its story through Invoke’s unique artistry.

MEET THE MEMBERS:

Zach Matteson, violin

A man of many origins (i.e. Maryland, Siberia, Montana), Zach is proud to call Austin, TX his home base. When he’s not making tunes with Invoke, you can find him at a a local coffee shop writing down some haikus, slurping down ramen from Ramen Tatsuya, or adding to his crazy collection of shirts from the local goodwill.

Nick Montopoli, violin

When he’s not banjo pickin’ or fiddle scrapin’ with Invoke, you might find Nick at the recording studio of composer Graham Reynolds, where he works as Graham’s assistant, or pumping iron at the Montopoli Barbell Club. He also loves kicking back with a prime bourbon, relaxing to the soothing tones of power metal, or stalking around the stage of a reunion show as lead singer of the former D.C. hair metal band, Sextacy.

Karl Mitze, viola

When he isn’t performing and teaching with Invoke, Karl enjoys baseball, board games, and walking his dog Max. A huge baseball fan, he follows the Cincinnati Reds avidly and listens to as many games as possible, usually when running at the park. Karl is also kind of a nerd: he’s a weekend Xbox player, loves fantasy novels, and enjoys anything Dungeons and Dragons related. You can often find him enjoying a beer at a trivia night somewhere in Austin, TX.

Geoff Manyin, cello

Geoff is passionate about scrumptious vegan food, always searching for Austin’s best tacos, Thai, or tofu scramble. Don’t forget about good drink too – just be sure to think twice before asking him about mezcal or whisk(e)y. An avid videogamer, you’ll often find him enjoying a role-playing game, a story-rich one-off, or whatever may strike his fancy that month. Sometimes though, all he needs to be happy is a stroll through a local park on a crisp afternoon, a great Netflix show, or a nice chat with an old friend.