After BAA, Mariano attended Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. As a musician, he earned the opportunity to perform with legendary artists such as: Earth, Wind & Fire, Aretha Franklin, George Duke, and the Marsalis brothers to mention a few. Concurrently, his dance career began to sky rocket. Due to demanding schedules from both art forms, Mariano decided to step aside from playing the trumpet as he felt he had accomplished the goals he set for himself at the time and after graduating from Berklee, his focus switched exclusively to dance.

As a dancer, Mariano’s accomplishments consist of championships, tours, sponsorships, and his work with legendary icons in Latin music and dance. His work with artists includes choreographing and performing with Elvis Crespo, NG2, Víctor Manuelle, La India, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Oscar D Leon, Ritchie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Andy Montañez, Tito Nieves, Alexander Abreu, Los Van Van, Tito Allen, and Havana D’primera among others.

Mariano currently lives in Sweden with his life partner, Bella, where he trains dancers all around the world to compete at prestigious dance championships. Notably, Mariano spends a considerable portion of the year on tour; marking his presence at Latin congresses and festivals teaching workshops, performing, choreographing and training aspiring professionals for future competitions.

“For someone who works with different people and companies all year long, it is imperative for me to know how to connect with my audience, it’s embedded in the veins of my work. If I don’t connect, I don’t work, plain and simple. BAA showed me the importance of that, through the arts, which lucky for me is my everyday job.”
- Mariano Neris II