Interest in music came early, attended children's opera, then operettas, operas, musicals. Clarinet lessons at age 8. Was asked to join local Community Orchestra as high school student, while continuing in the high school band.
Interest in dancing came at age 4 or 5 as I watched the beautifully dressed ladies dance on the restaurant's dance floor every Saturday, (my first "dance" was "Blue Tango"---remember the applause. Had opportunity to attend Ballroom Dance Championships.
Dance lessons from early youth through college: tap, jazz, ball-room (resumed dance lesson as adult).
Interest in line dancing came when friend invited me to join her classes. Take lessons now with 2 instructors (country & work shop circuit). Love attending work-shops, as my schedule allows.
In 2016, had opportunity to teach 2 of my dances at a fundraiser/workshop. Although I enjoy retirement, am happy to teach on a short term basis (private lessons) when asked.
Choreograph dances in all rhythms & genres.
Ilona Tessmer-Willis has choreographed 68 dances, of which 7 have been co-choreographed. Their first published stepsheet on CopperKnob is I Like To Cha Cha from January 2015, with their most recent stepsheet of Whiskey Fingers in April 2024.
Choreographer Stepsheets
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Baby, I Love You - The Ronettes : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Poison Ivy - The Coasters
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons : (Amazon.com Apple music.com)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Ain't Nothin' Better - The Stickers : (Google Play - iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall High Beginner Music: Baby Be My Love Song - Easton Corbin : (3:10)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor) - Brett Eldredge
64 Count 4 Wall Improver / Intermediate Music: Eres Mía - Romeo Santos : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 4 Wall Low Intermediate Music: Esta Noche - Raulin Rodriguez : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
64 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
36 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Any Slow Waltz aka English Waltz
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Der wilde, wilde Westen - Truck Stop
64 Count 4 Wall Beginner / Improver Music: Cuba - Gibson Brothers : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues - The Charlie Daniels Band
48 Count 4 Wall Improver / Intermediate Music: Delicado - Percy Faith & His Orchestra : (2:52)
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Dov'è L'amore - Cher : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Easy Improver Music: Drinkin' Dark Whiskey - Gary Allan : (3:02)
16 Count 4 Wall High Beginner Music: Drinking Songs - Walker Hayes : (iTunes, amazon)
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Drinkin' Town With a Football Problem - Billy Currington : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Easy Beginner Music: Sweet Nothin's - Brenda Lee : (Google Play, AmazonMP3, iTunes)
