BOSTON -- After weeks of toiling and pushing their bodies, one of the celebrity finalists will be named the new champion on Tuesday night's "Dancing with the Stars."

Professional dancer Tony Dovolani sat down with NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner to share with her what dance means to him.

"This is an art form," said Dovolani. "I try and embrace the actual character of each dance."

Dovolani said it's more than just acting out a particular character, it's his passion.

'Dancing' Star Explains The Art Of Dance

For nine seasons, the 36-year-old has been on the hit show, portraying as many characters as there are dance styles.

"As soon as I hear the music, I become that person," Dovolani said.

Dovolani has done ballet, jazz and just about every type of dance form.

"Dance is supposed to be a direct parallel of life," Dovolani said. "And ballroom dance is the only one that is relationship based. It's based on a man and a woman, whether being in love, mad, glad, sad with each other -- it doesn't matter. Whichever one it is, you take something from it."

Portraying that raw emotion on the dance floor propelled Dovolani to winning the world championship in Latin dance twice with his partner Elena Grinenko.

"When you experience that performance, you know you're not going to be able to repeat, you just get that feeling," he said.

After 18 years, the champ left the competitive floor for Hollywood's floors to partner with some of its leading ladies.

Dovolani said one of his favorite movies is "Somewhere in Time," starring Jane Seymour, and then to meet her in person was quite a thrill. As was teaching actress Susan Lucci.

"Talk about an icon. I learned how to speak English watching 'All My Children,'" Dovolani said.

Born in Kosovo, Dovolani came to America at the age of 14. His love of dance was solidified by the men he admired on the silver screen, including Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

"Those two represented both sides of me," Dovolani said. "Fred Astaire was the classiest person that ever existed in our industry. He was suave, he was smooth, he had everything. Yet Gene Kelly was the rebel."

Dovolani's eyes lit up when he started talking about Kelly.

"Everything was edgy and he had the passion that he was never afraid to show, and I think that's something every dancer wants to be," he said.

Dovolani said working with celebrities on the show is a journey, and it's just as important to him as the stars that they learn the steps.

"Teaching is an art form," he said. "I love the transformation of people."