Doria Avila was born on May 11, 1927 in Donna TX. After graduating from Donna High School, Doria attended Baylor University, while at Baylor, Doria enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for service in World War II.

At the conclusion of the War, Doria relocated to New York City and began his dance career.

He studied ballet at the School of American Ballet in New York City with George Balanchine, Oboukhoff, Vladimiroff, Muriel Stuart and Lew Christensen.

He also studied with Helene Platova in New York City, Volonine and Olga Preobrajenska in Paris, Volkova in London.

Doria studied Modern Dance with Martha Graham, Hanya Holm, Merce Cunningham, Alwin Nikolais and performed in the Ballet Society, the New York City Opera and New York City Ballet.

In 1950, Doria was the male lead, Toby, in Gian Carlo Menotti's, The Medium in New York City. From 1949 through 1966, he performed in twelve Broadway musicals including, Out Of This World, The King and I, Can-Can, Bells Are Ringing, Skyscraper, and Carnival; working with renowned choreographers Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille, Onna White, Bob Fosse and Gower Champion among others. Doria performed as the Lead Dancer-Choreographer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France from 1953 through 1954; was the choreographer for Carnival in London, England in 1963; was an actor, assistant choreographer in Bells Are Ringing, a Metro-Goldwyn Mayer production in 1960. From 1948 through 1966, Doria made over 200 network television appearances including "The Paul Whitman Show," "Buick Circus", and the "Ed Sullivan Show." 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’s productions of The Nutcracker, Ballet Fiesta Mexicana and Ballet Espanol are the longest running tourist attractions in South Texas history. 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. He choreographed school concerts for the San Antonio Symphony as well as the Ft. Worth Symphony from 1967-1993; and also served as an adjunct Professor and Choreographer at the University Theatre, University of Texas in Edinburg 1989-1993; he retired in 1993; along with being a Master Teacher and Guest Choreographer at San Antonio Dance Academy under Rosemary C. Tatum, Director.