BOSTON -- A new "Dancing with the Stars" champion has just been crowned, and one of the professional dancers who taught some of the top competitors each season is Tony Dovolani.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner went to his Connecticut home to talk about his two passions: dancing and family.

Dovolani has danced with some of the hottest women in the business. This season, he did the salsa with swimsuit model Kathy Ireland. In past seasons, he did the rumba with Jane Seymour, and the hustle with All My Children's Susan Lucci.

Dovolani said he loves all styles of dance.

'Dancing' Star Shares His 2 Passions

"I just happened to excel on the Latin because it's got very similar rhythms to our cultural music. It's fun; it's fast; it's vibrant," he said.

This Albanian-born dancer competed internationally for 18 years, proudly winning the world championships in Latin dance twice with partner Elena Grinenko.

"I've appreciated every single thing I've ever experienced," Dovolani said. "Because I felt like I was living on borrowed time, because leaving the country in Kosovo, being chased out of the country, I had an opportunity at a second chance at life."

Born in Kosovo 36 years ago, Dovolani was the middle of five children. It was his father who recognized Dovolani's talent in music and dance.

"I quickly realized I didn't want to be behind an instrument. I wanted to be on the floor dancing because everybody looked like they were having so much fun," Dovolani said.

At 14, his family moved to Connecticut and it wasn't long before Dovolani realized that dance could become his life's work.

"My dad used to show me Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies, and Gene Kelly, and I just knew that that was my calling," he said.

The nine-season veteran of "Dancing with the Stars" has retired from competing, but he's never far from the dance floor. He's also never far from his other passion, his family.

Dovolani and his wife, Lina, have been married for 10 years and have three children: 4-year-old Luana and 1-year-old twins Adrian and Arianna.

"We never planned on twins, but what a blessing. It is really amazing to be a dad," he said.

Dovolani said he loves to play with his children every chance he gets.

"My daughter thinks that I am a horse. So when I get on all fours, she quickly jumps on my back and we do the horse," he said.

Dovolani also said he adores his twins, a boy and a girl.

"They just mesmerize me. They are so similar, yet so different. It's just amazing to see them change every day. You miss a day, you feel like you miss a year," he said.

Dovolani said his whole goal in life is to be a good dad.

"My dad is my idol. I always tell my dad, 'If I'm this much like you, I will have succeeded in life,'" he said.

Dovolani said his wife can dance, but said it's not a good idea to try to teach your spouse how to dance, so he offered to pay for lessons.