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.
64 拍數 2 牆數 Beginner / Improver 音樂: Whiskey Fingers - Kelly Kenning : (Spotify)
16 拍數 4 牆數 High Beginner 音樂: Drinking Songs - Walker Hayes : (iTunes, amazon)
64 拍數 2 牆數 Improver 音樂: La mia vanità - Banda Piazzolla : (Apple music.com - Amazon.com)
32 拍數 4 牆數 Absolute Beginner 音樂: Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons : (Amazon.com Apple music.com)
32 拍數 4 牆數 Absolute Beginner 音樂: Little Things - Bobby Goldsboro : (Amazon.com Apple music.com)
48 拍數 4 牆數 High Beginner 音樂: Jumpin' From Six to Six - Colin James : (apple music.com - amazon.com)
32 拍數 4 牆數 Beginner 音樂: Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Meghan Trainor) - Brett Eldredge
32 拍數 4 牆數 Improver - NC2S 音樂: Ain't No Sunshine - Deni Hines : (AppleMusic.com - Amazon.com)
32 拍數 4 牆數 Improver 音樂: Je veux - ZAZ
64 拍數 4 牆數 Beginner / Improver 音樂: Cuba - Gibson Brothers : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 拍數 2 牆數 Beginner 音樂: She's Named a Loser - The Sixties : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
48 拍數 4 牆數 Beginner 音樂: Rock'n'Roll Fever - Nicki & Freddi : (Google Play • iTunes • AmazonMP3)
64 拍數 2 牆數 Improver 音樂: Dov'è L'amore - Cher : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
64 拍數 2 牆數 Beginner 音樂: Como Me Duele Perderte - Gloria Estefan : (Google Play / AmazonMP3 / iTunes)
32 拍數 4 牆數 Very Beginner 音樂: This Ain't No Thinkin' Thing - Trace Adkins : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)
32 拍數 4 牆數 Beginner 音樂: Music To Watch Girls By - Tom Gaebel : (iTunes or Amazon)
64 拍數 2 牆數 Beginner 音樂: Put A Lid On It - Orlando Pops Orchestra : (iTunes, German Google Play)
32 拍數 4 牆數 Absolute Beginner 音樂: Poison Ivy - The Coasters
32 拍數 4 牆數 Very Beginner 音樂: You've Got Your Troubles - The Fortunes
32 拍數 4 牆數 Beginner 音樂: Guitars, Cadillacs - Dwight Yoakam : (Google Play / iTunes / AmazonMP3)