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