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