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