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