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 2 Wall Beginner / Improver Music: Whiskey Fingers - Kelly Kenning : (Spotify)
16 Count 4 Wall High Beginner Music: Drinking Songs - Walker Hayes : (iTunes, amazon)
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: La mia vanità - Banda Piazzolla : (Apple music.com - Amazon.com)
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons : (Amazon.com Apple music.com)
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Little Things - Bobby Goldsboro : (Amazon.com Apple music.com)
48 Count 4 Wall High Beginner Music: Jumpin' From Six to Six - Colin James : (apple music.com - amazon.com)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor) - Brett Eldredge
32 Count 4 Wall Improver - NC2S Music: Ain't No Sunshine - Deni Hines : (AppleMusic.com - Amazon.com)
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Je veux - ZAZ
64 Count 4 Wall Beginner / Improver Music: Cuba - Gibson Brothers : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: She's Named a Loser - The Sixties : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
48 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Rock'n'Roll Fever - Nicki & Freddi : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Dov'è L'amore - Cher : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: Como Me Duele Perderte - Gloria Estefan : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Very Beginner Music: This Ain't No Thinkin' Thing - Trace Adkins : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Music To Watch Girls By - Tom Gaebel : (iTunes or Amazon)
64 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: Put A Lid On It - Orlando Pops Orchestra : (iTunes, German Google Play)
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Poison Ivy - The Coasters
32 Count 4 Wall Very Beginner Music: You've Got Your Troubles - The Fortunes
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
