The University of Hawaii Gamelan Ensemble will hold a concert April 18 in remembrance of professor Hardja Susilo, who taught Javanese music and dance.

Susilo, longtime ethnomusicology professor at UH-Manoa, died Jan. 25. He was 80.

Susilo was the first Javanese gamelan (traditional instrumental ensemble of Indonesia) teacher in the United States.

Born in Java, Indonesia, he earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in music from the University of California, Los Angeles, the same institution where he taught Javanese music and dance.

In 1970, Susilo moved to Hawaii to teach at UH-Manoa, according to Michiko Ueno-Herr, a member of the Hawaii Gamelan Ensemble.

Recognized for his dedication to Indonesian music and dance, he received the Hadiah Seni, the Indonesian Presidential Award, the nation’s highest recognition in art.

Following retirement in 1999, he continued to help students and teach gamelan.

Susilo’s wife, JoLinda, said her husband will be best remembered for his humble and kind nature.

Susilo is also survived by his son, Ken; daughters Chandra and Emiko; hanai son Matt Butlett; brother Mas Suhuv; and four grandchildren. Services were held in January.

The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at UH-Manoa’s Barbara Smith Ampitheater. General admission tickets cost $12; $8 seniors, UH faculty/staff/students; UH-Manoa music majors free. For more information, go to bit.ly/1CuNdIM.