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
64 Count 4 Wand Beginner / Improver Musik: Cuba - Gibson Brothers : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 Count 2 Wand Improver Musik: La mia vanità - Banda Piazzolla : (Apple music.com - Amazon.com)
48 Count 2 Wand Advanced Beginner Viennese Waltz Musik: Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson : (Google Play - AmazonMP3 - iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wand Intermediate Musik: Renegade Runaway - Carrie Underwood
48 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: I'm Gonna E-Mail Santa - Billy Gilman : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: That's All You Gotta Do - Brenda Lee : (Google Play, iTunes , Amazon MP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner / Improver Musik: Chacha Swing (feat. Zona Prieta) - Zumba Fitness
32 Count 4 Wand Improver - NC2S Musik: Ain't No Sunshine - Deni Hines : (AppleMusic.com - Amazon.com)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Very Beginner Musik: You've Got Your Troubles - The Fortunes
32 Count 2 Wand Improver Musik: Shape of You - Ed Sheeran : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: She's a Fool - Lesley Gore
32 Count 4 Wand Improver Musik: Drinkin' Town With a Football Problem - Billy Currington : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Countrified - The Stickers : (Google Play, iTunes & AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Absolute Beginner Musik: Poison Ivy - The Coasters
32 Count 4 Wand High Beginner Musik: Hilito - Romeo Santos : (3:48)
64 Count 2 Wand Improver Musik: Dov'è L'amore - Cher : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Low Intermediate Musik: It Feels Good - Drake White : (Google Play - AmazonMP3 - iTunes - 2:40)
64 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: Mercy - Duffy : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 Count 4 Wand Low Intermediate Musik: Strip It Down - Luke Bryan : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3 - 3:50)
