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 60 dances, of which 2 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 I Want (je Veux) in Feburary 2019.
Choreographer Stepsheets
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: " Je veux" - Zaz. Minutes: 3:37. BPM: 156
64 Count 4 Wall Beginner / Improver Music: Cuba - Gibson Brothers : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: "She's Named A Loser" Nicki & Freddi (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3) 3:10 - BPM: 122
48 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: "Rock N Roll Fever" - Nicki & Freddi (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3) 2:30 - BMP: 175
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Dov'è L'amore - Cher : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: Como Me Duele Perderte - Gloria Estefan : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wall Very Beginner Music: This Ain't No Thinkin' Thing - Trace Adkins : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: "Music To Watch Girls By" Tom Gaebel ( iTunes or Amazon) 2:58 - BPM: 157
64 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: "Put A Lid On It" by Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra aka Orlando Pops Orchestra (iTunes, German Google Play) 2:39 - BPM: 195
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Poison Ivy - The Coasters
32 Count 4 Wall Very Beginner Music: You've Got Your Troubles - The Fortunes
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Chica Bacilona - Yano : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
72 Count 0 Wall Phrased Improver Music: Lights Come On - Jason Aldean
32 Count 4 Wall Absolute Beginner Music: Tango - Michael Nantel
32 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Shape of You - Ed Sheeran : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
48 Count 2 Wall Advanced Beginner Viennese Waltz Music: Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson : (Google Play - AmazonMP3 - iTunes)
48 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: I'm Gonna E-Mail Santa - Billy Gilman : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: "That's All You Gotta Do" Brenda Lee (Google Play, iTunes , Amazon MP3) Minutes: 2:32 - BPM: 190
32 Count 4 Wall Ultra Beginner Music: "My Pledge Of Love" by Joe Jeffrey (Google Play • AmazonMP3 • iTunes) [2:46 - BPM: 148]
