In 1966 through 1993, Doria was the owner and director of the Doria Avila Dance Academy in McAllen, TX.
He was the proud founder and Director of the Rio Grande Valley Ballet in McAllen, TX 1973-1993. Mr. Avila was instrumental in reviving Mexican Folkloric and Spanish-Flamenco Dance in South Texas. He was a Dance Advisor to the Texas Fine Arts Commission and a panelist to the Texas Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Mr. Avila was chosen to be one of four Living Legends of Dance by the Governor of Texas in 1992.