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
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Baby, I Love You - The Ronettes : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Absolute Beginner Musik: Poison Ivy - The Coasters
32 Count 4 Wand Absolute Beginner Musik: Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons : (Amazon.com Apple music.com)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Ain't Nothin' Better - The Stickers : (Google Play - iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wand High Beginner Musik: Baby Be My Love Song - Easton Corbin : (3:10)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor) - Brett Eldredge
64 Count 4 Wand Improver / Intermediate Musik: Eres Mía - Romeo Santos : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 4 Wand Low Intermediate Musik: Esta Noche - Raulin Rodriguez : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
64 Count 4 Wand Intermediate Musik: Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
36 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Any Slow Waltz aka English Waltz
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Der wilde, wilde Westen - Truck Stop
64 Count 4 Wand Beginner / Improver Musik: Cuba - Gibson Brothers : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wand Beginner Musik: Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues - The Charlie Daniels Band
48 Count 4 Wand Improver / Intermediate Musik: Delicado - Percy Faith & His Orchestra : (2:52)
64 Count 2 Wand Improver Musik: Dov'è L'amore - Cher : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Easy Improver Musik: Drinkin' Dark Whiskey - Gary Allan : (3:02)
16 Count 4 Wand High Beginner Musik: Drinking Songs - Walker Hayes : (iTunes, amazon)
32 Count 4 Wand Improver Musik: Drinkin' Town With a Football Problem - Billy Currington : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Easy Beginner Musik: Sweet Nothin's - Brenda Lee : (Google Play, AmazonMP3, iTunes)
