Tony Dovolani

Ballroom dancer Tony Dovolani, born in 1973 in Pristina Kosovo was proficient in Albanian folk dancing by age three. After immigrating the U.S. as a political refugee, he received his training at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, in Connecticut. Known forĀ coaching Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere for the 2004 film Shall We Dance?, Dovolani joined the cast, of Dancing with Stars, a competitive dance television show in which he partners with various celebrities. In the show's fifteenth season, Dovolani won the competition with Melissa Rycroft, taking home the Mirror Ball Trophy. He has received numerous awards for his dancing, including an Emmy for outstanding choreography in 2006, and also works as an instructor.