TONY DOVOLANI FROM DANCING WITH THE STARS AND MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION MAKE ISABELLA CORCELLI’S DREAM OF DANCING WITH A STAR COME TRUE!
I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Isabella at Dance With Me SoHo a couple months ago. At first glimpse, you would never know that this girl was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects soft tissue, just about 2 years ago. She didn’t look like someone who was battling a disease, she looked vibrant and healthy, with a look in her eye that said, “Let’s do this!”
Thankfully, her cancer had remitted, and she was ready to show seasoned Dancing with the Stars professional and former world champion, Tony Dovolani, her dance skills. As soon as Tony came in she was ready to hit the ground…dancing! I’ve seen Tony teach countless lessons and I know he adjusts his style to each student to bring out the best in them. With Isabella, he treated her less like a student, but more like a professional dance partner, challenging her to bring out her best.
They immediately got to work on a complex Salsa routine complete with spins, tricks, dips, partner work, and quick rhythms. It took Isabella less than one hour, ONE HOUR, to learn a brand new Salsa routine. Then, they spent about an hour dancing it, perfecting the styling, and having fun.
Tony Dovolani and Dance With Me studios are proud to work with Make a Wish Foundation to make Isabella’s wish come true.
Read what Isabella had to say about her experience dancing with Tony and watch the video below to see her performance.
“Dancing with Tony Dovolani has been a dream come true. With so many commitments and obligations and with Dancing With the Stars around the corner, he still found the time to make this wish happen. I am so grateful to have had him as my partner, he taught me so much and I will remember it forever.
As soon as he walked in the room I was star struck. I was too nervous to walk over to him so I let him come to me. As soon as we began dancing the nerves slipped away. He has a way of making someone feel comfortable. Not to mention he was the best leader. Usually when I dance with someone new it’s hard to follow along, but he made it so easy to follow his lead. No wonder he’s on Dancing with the Stars!
He was so down to earth and personable; it was hard to believe he was a celebrity! The way he joked around with his great sense of humor really made the whole day even better. You could tell he genuinely cared about making the most out of this experience for me. His love and passion for dance are so evident and I can only hope to dance like him someday.”
WATCH THE VIDEO FROM ISABELLA’S MAKE A WISH DANCE LESSON WITH TONY:
To read more about Isabella’s story, click here to read the article published in the Providence Journal.
Absolutely Amazing! Tony is wonderful and an awesome teacher. Isabella is beautiful and looks like a pro! God Bless her and her family.
This was so inspiring and full of hope! Isabella you are in my prayers and Tony you are an amazing man and so humble!
Beautiful story. What a blessing for Tony to grant this wish. Lovely to watch you practicing and then performing what you taught her.
What a beautiful experience…..Dancing is such an emotional & uplifting feeling. Prayers for Isabella & her family. Tony…Wonderful as always!
I had to watch this twice as i cried through the first one !! Tony, you are awesome and one of my favorites on DWTS ! What a lovely young lady and such a beautiful smile, matches yours Tony !! My Prayers to Isabella , may you stay healthy and strong.
Have always loved watching Tony and this just confirmed my thoughts that he is truly an amazing person. Thank you Tony for taking the time and really giving it your all to make someone’s dreams come true.
Have watch Tony for many years,loved when he danced in competition,he won many awards,especially latin routines. He was and is such a gentleman,handsome too!
This was a beautiful event for Isabella.Tony made her dreams come true.
What a beautiful story, and a wonderful program Make A Wish is! Tony is so great, and a beautiful dancer!
Many prayers for Isabella and her inspirational approach to living fully. As for Tony……well, it is no surprise that he would give so much of himself to make Isabella’s dream come true! He is amazing and genuine and I have the utmost respect for him.
What a classy guy, just reaffirms what I thought about Tony. And Isabella, what a great talent and determination to be out there dancing. God Bless!
Tony, I love watching you dance. You put your heart in it. What you did for Isabella was wonderful. You are such a sweetheart. Thanks for who you are.
Tony is a Rolls Royce!
So proud of you Isabella. Ms. Marsden and I send our love and congratulations to you on such a wonderful dance. Ballroom really is your thing! xoxo Miss Ana & Family