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: Save the Last Dance for Me - The Drifters : (Google Play / AmazonMP / iTunes)
48 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: "Honky Tonk Halloween" by Capt. Clegg & the Night Creatures
32 Count 4 Wall Easy Beginner Music: Sweet Nothin's - Brenda Lee : (Google Play, AmazonMP3, iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: My Boyfriend's Back - The Angels : (Google Play - AmazonMP3 - iTunes)
32 Count 1 Wall Beginner Music: Baila Baila Comigo - Gold Star Ballroom Orchestra : (Google Play, iTunes, eMusic, AmazonMP3)
16 Count 4 Wall High Beginner Music: Drinking Songs - Walker Hayes : (iTunes, amazon)
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 Beginner Music: Head Over Boots - Jon Pardi : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
48 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: I'm Gonna E-Mail Santa - Billy Gilman : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: She's a Fool - Lesley Gore
64 Count 4 Wall Improver / Intermediate Music: 6.7.8. - Randall Lee : (iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Je veux - ZAZ
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Tango - Michael Nantel
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Chica Bacilona - Yano : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Countrified - The Stickers : (Google Play, iTunes & AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Ultra Beginner Music: He's So Fine - The Chiffons : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
40 Count 2 Wall Ultra Beginner Music: A Lover's Question - Clyde McPhatter
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Because - The Dave Clark Five : (iTunes)
36 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Any Slow Waltz aka English Waltz
