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
64 Count 4 Wall Beginner / Improver Music: Cuba - Gibson Brothers : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: La mia vanità - Banda Piazzolla : (Apple music.com - Amazon.com)
48 Count 2 Wall Advanced Beginner Viennese Waltz Music: Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson : (Google Play - AmazonMP3 - iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Renegade Runaway - Carrie Underwood
48 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: I'm Gonna E-Mail Santa - Billy Gilman : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: That's All You Gotta Do - Brenda Lee : (Google Play, iTunes , Amazon MP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner / Improver Music: Chacha Swing (feat. Zona Prieta) - Zumba Fitness
32 Count 4 Wall Improver - NC2S Music: Ain't No Sunshine - Deni Hines : (AppleMusic.com - Amazon.com)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Very Beginner Music: You've Got Your Troubles - The Fortunes
32 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Shape of You - Ed Sheeran : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: She's a Fool - Lesley Gore
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Drinkin' Town With a Football Problem - Billy Currington : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Countrified - The Stickers : (Google Play, iTunes & AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Poison Ivy - The Coasters
32 Count 4 Wall High Beginner Music: Hilito - Romeo Santos : (3:48)
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Dov'è L'amore - Cher : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Low Intermediate Music: It Feels Good - Drake White : (Google Play - AmazonMP3 - iTunes - 2:40)
64 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Mercy - Duffy : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Low Intermediate Music: Strip It Down - Luke Bryan : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3 - 3:50)
