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