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