Austria

Hans J. Holz of Andorf, Austria, assumed leadership of the IOV world organization in 2004 when he was elected to follow retiring Secretary-General Alexander Veigl.  Prior to his election, Hans was Chair of the IOV Austria Section.

Hans has been active in folk music all of his adult life.  As Founder and Director of Choirs of Andorf, Hans directed tours to 60 countries over the course of 30 years. The Choir represented Austria at folkloric festivals and on concert stages. Since 1999, he has been President of the Upper Austrian Choral Association, an organization with over 800 member choirs.  Hans has been Chairman of the Association of Music Schools of Upper Austria and is a Professor at the Teachers College in Linz.

He graduated in Pedagogical Studies from the University of Linz before earning a Master’s degree in the same field from the University of Passau in Germany.  In 1986, he founded the Music Academy of Andorf where he has been Headmaster since 1999.  Throughout his professional career as a professor of music, Hans has kept a focus on the role of folk music in the cultural heritage of Austria. 

As Secretary General of IOV, Hans manages its operational affairs from the organization’s headquarters in Austria.  He coordinates IOV’s work in 160 member nations through Regional Executive Secretaries and he travels the world organizing cultural exchanges and educational events on behalf of IOV.  Hans has played an active role in helping build the IOV USA National Section.  In March of 2008, Hans was the keynote speaker at the annual conference of the National Folk Organization of the U.S.A. in Orlando, Florida. Last summer he attended the first IOV World Youth Congress in Bountiful, Utah where he spoke on the role youth play in IOV’s worldwide work. 

Hans lives in the Austrian village of Andorf, where he was born and where he and his wife, Traudi, have raised their two sons.   A skilled leader, Hans emphasizes the importance of communication and close cooperation among the regional and national sections of IOV.  Hans has stated it is his goal to expand IOV’s work in its member nations as a step toward encouraging more cultural events and exchanges.
Secretary-General Holz has a deep understanding of people and their traditions. This, combined with his ability to lead and successfully build organizations, ensures a bright future for IOV.