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