As a choreographer, Mariano has been much sought after by professional dance and theatre companies. He has choreographed for numerous opera companies including: Houston Opera's production of Carmen, Washington Opera's productions of Carman and La Traviata, New York City Opera's production of The Gondolier and the Philadelphia Opera Company. Mariano has worked with numerous dance companies of which a few are:
The Jose Molina Spanish Dance Company, Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo, Gabriela Granados' OLE OLE, Damaris Ferrer Bailes Espanol, La Meri's Ethnic Dance Theatre, Danzas Espanolas Company, Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre, Birmingham Hispanic Dance Company and was dance consultant for Andrea Del Conte's Spanish Dance Theatre.

As a choreographer and dance coach, Mariano has worked with numerous performing artists in a cross section of dance forms. He has choreographed many works, mostly solo, for Spanish Dance. In recent years Mariano has been sought to work extensively with Middle Eastern dancers in New York and in seminar locations throughout the country on the development of Flamenco Moro, a Spanish-Arabic dance form which has its roots in Andalusia and North Africa. Mariano has conducted such seminars for Morwenna Assaf and Nourhan Sharif. Among the dance artists of both worlds, Mariano has been engaged by: La Conja, Dalia Carella, Yousry Sharif, Nourhan Sharif, Damaris Ferrer, Dalall, Gabriela Granados, Carlota Santana, Andrea Del Conte, Carla Ochoa, Isabel Soler, Barbara Romero, "Elena" Lentini, "Katia", Sondra Rivera, Natalia Brillante, Lila Zellet of Mexico, and Kim Aktar "La Maha".

As a teacher, Mariano's list is so extensive that only a few of the New York schools are enumerated: American Ballet Theatre, Robert Joffrey Ballet School, Alvin Ailey School, New York University, Ballet Hispanico and Sharif Egyptian Academy of Oriental Dance and Sofian School of Dance. He has also taught for: American Bolero School of Dance, Florida International University, New World School of the Arts Miami, Ibrahim Farrah School of Mid-Eastern Dance, Jabob's Pillow Dance Festival, La Meri's Academy of Ethnic Dance, The School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, and Lila Zellet's Academia Mexico City. Mariano was the first person to introduce Escuela Bolera of the Pericet family to New York.

Mariano Parra has also served dance in an administrative capacity. In addition to running his own dance company for over twenty years, Mariano served on the dance panel for the National Endowment for the Arts and on the board of directors for the Association of American Dance Companies. Mariano Parra also served as a panel member for the New York State Council on the Arts. His organizational skills and representation of ethnic dance have been invaluable.

Mariano Parra has been called, "Mystic grace" (New York Times), "A Spanish treasure" (Profile), and "Purist"(Miami Herald). Throughout his years of teaching and choreography, he is fondly called the "Dance Doctor", "Dance Wizard" and "Dance Philosopher." One thing is sure. Mariano is passionate about dance, dancers, and those who love to dance. Mariano has earned his wonderful reputation. His contribution to the world of dance is immeasurable.

Mariano teaches at Fazil's Rehearsal Studio, the center for flamenco and Middle Eastern Dance in New York.

AWARDS
1980 The Ruth St. Denis Award - "A choreographic award, honoring Mariano for the fourth time for his undivided devotion to ethnic dance over two decades of his career and many choreographic works in the several forms of Spanish dance, all of which were based on the arduous study of traditional techniques and mores." La Meri.

1992 Certificate of Appreciation - For outstanding support of the Greater Miami Chapter through Distinguished Service to the 1992 Festival of Flavors/Fiesta de Los Sabores and American Red Cross.

1998 Ethnic Dance Award - Special recognition for continuous work to maintain and interpret a vital dance form of the global community, "for impeccable taste...married to the vibrant evolving legacy of Spain...for your dancing feet, perseverance, artistry and sharing."