{{Short description|American ballet dancer (born 1999)}} {{Infobox dancer | name = Roman Mejia | image = | alt = | caption = | full_name = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|11|30|mf=y}} | birth_place = Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | education = School of American Ballet | occupation = Ballet dancer | years_active = 2017–present | height = | spouse = | partner = Tiler Peck (2020–present; married 6/21/25 in New York City) | children = | website = <!-- {{URL|website}} --> | current_group = New York City Ballet | former_groups = | dances = | module = }} '''Roman Mejia''' (born November 30, 1999) is an American ballet dancer. He joined the New York City Ballet in 2017, and was promoted to principal dancer in February 2023.
==Early life and education== Mejia was born in Fort Worth, Texas.<ref name=Kourlas>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/26/arts/dance/four-dancers-promoted-at-new-york-city-ballet.html|title=Four Dancers Promoted to Principal at New York City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=February 26, 2023|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227203734/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/26/arts/dance/four-dancers-promoted-at-new-york-city-ballet.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Both of his parents were ballet dancers. His father, Paul Mejia, who is Peruvian-American,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul Mejia {{!}} Kennedy Center |url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/m/ma-mn/paul-mejia/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=The Kennedy Center |language=en}}</ref> was a dancer at the New York City Ballet (NYCB) during the 1960s.<ref name=Lansky>{{cite news|url=https://pointemagazine.com/roman-mejia-ballet/|title=Roman Mejia Is Carving His Own Path at New York City Ballet|work=Pointe|last=Lansky|first=Chava Pearl|date=March 22, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228001807/https://pointemagazine.com/roman-mejia-ballet/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Mejia started dancing at age three at the Metropolitan Classical Ballet, where his father was a co-artistic director. His parents began training him and his sister in the Balanchine technique. When he was 12, Mejia became interested in attending the School of American Ballet (SAB), NYCB's school, and, in 2014, at age 14, he was accepted into SAB's summer program. He returned the following summer, then was accepted into the school full-time.<ref name=Lansky/> He graduated in 2017.<ref name=Macaulay>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/arts/dance/where-dancers-shine-beyond-their-usual-specialties.html|title=Where Dancers Shine Beyond Their Usual Specialties|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=August 6, 2017|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000310/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/arts/dance/where-dancers-shine-beyond-their-usual-specialties.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career== In August 2017, Mejia performed at the Vail Dance Festival in Vail, Colorado, in Balanchine's ''Tarantella'', opposite NYCB principal dancer Lauren Lovette, and in the world premiere of Matthew Neenan's ''Farewell''. The opportunity came about when the festival's director Damian Woetzel asked NYCB principal dancer Tiler Peck about new talents, and she had spotted him at SAB.<ref name=Lansky/><ref name=Macaulay/> Mejia began his apprenticeship at NYCB later that month, and joined the company as a member of the corps de ballet three months later.<ref name=Lansky/> He soon took on featured roles, including in Balanchine's ''Allegro Brillante'', ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (as Puck), ''The Nutcracker'' (as Candy Cane),<ref name=Lansky/> and ''Western Symphony'',<ref name=Jacobs/> as well as Robbins' ''Dances at a Gathering'',<ref name=Lansky/> ''Fancy Free'',<ref name=Harss>{{cite news|url=https://www.dancemagazine.com/roman-mejia/|title=Roman Mejia, NYCB's Resident Adrenaline Junkie, Is Taking on a Woman's Solo at Vail|work=Dance Magazine|last=Harss|first=Marina|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228001807/https://www.dancemagazine.com/roman-mejia/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''The Four Seasons''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-winter-season.html|title=Taking the Pulse of New York City Ballet Without Peter Martins|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=February 23, 2018|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000317/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-winter-season.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He originated roles in Kyle Abraham's ''The Runaway'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/arts/review-new-york-city-ballet-fashion-gala.html|title='We, the Dancers': At City Ballet's Gala, Affirming Ballet's Honor|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=September 28, 2018|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000301/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/arts/review-new-york-city-ballet-fashion-gala.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Alexei Ratmansky's ''Voices'', Edwaard Liang's ''Lineage'',<ref name=Jacobs/> and Gianna Reisen's ''Composer's Holiday''.<ref name=Jacobs/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-fashion-gala-justin-peck-lovette-gianna-reisen-schumacher.html|title=Review: The Unstuffy Gala: City Ballet Delivers Youth and Style|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000315/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-fashion-gala-justin-peck-lovette-gianna-reisen-schumacher.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Mejia also returned to Vail each summer,<ref name=Lansky/> where he danced Ratmansky's ''Fandango'', which was originally choreographed for a woman,<ref name=Harss/> and originated roles for Tiler Peck and Alonzo King.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/arts/dance/at-vail-tiler-peck-choreographs-and-michelle-dorrance-wows.html|title=At Vail, Tiler Peck Choreographs and Michelle Dorrance Wows|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|work=The New York Times |date=August 7, 2018|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000302/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/arts/dance/at-vail-tiler-peck-choreographs-and-michelle-dorrance-wows.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/16/arts/dance/alonzo-king-jason-moran-vail-dance.html|title=Alonzo King and Jason Moran Create a Dialogue of Movement and Music|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=July 16, 2019|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000313/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/16/arts/dance/alonzo-king-jason-moran-vail-dance.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked with choreographer William Forsythe and dancers Peck, Brooklyn Mack and Lex Ishimoto on ''The Barre Project (Blake Works II)''. The performance was filmed in an empty theatre and released online in 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dancetabs.com/2021/04/william-forsythe-tiler-peck-and-others-the-barre-project-blake-works-ii/|title=William Forsythe, Tiler Peck and others – The Barre Project (Blake Works II)|work=DanceTabs|last=Parry|first=Jann|date=April 8, 2021|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000302/https://dancetabs.com/2021/04/william-forsythe-tiler-peck-and-others-the-barre-project-blake-works-ii/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 2021, soon after NYCB resumed performing after the pandemic, Mejia was named soloist.<ref name=Jacobs>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-promotions.html|title=City Ballet Promotes Dancers Amid Veteran Departures|work=New York Times|last=Jacobs|first=Julia|date=October 7, 2021|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000306/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-promotions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He took on more featured roles, including in Balanchine's "Rubies" from ''Jewels'', ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (as Oberon),<ref name=Kourlas/> ''The Nutcracker'' (as the Cavalier),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/arts/dance/george-balanchines-nutcracker-city-ballet.html|title=What Does an Angel See in Her Future? Maybe a Sugarplum Fairy|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=December 21, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227142544/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/arts/dance/george-balanchines-nutcracker-city-ballet.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Robbins' ''Piano Pieces'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/31/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-spring-season.html|title=A Farewell and the Promise of a New Future at City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=May 31, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000312/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/31/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-spring-season.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Martins' ''The Sleeping Beauty'' (as Bluebird and Gold).<ref name=Kourlas/> He originated roles in Justin Peck's ''Partita'' and Silas Farley's ''Architects of Time''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/arts/dance/review-justin-peck-partita-new-york-city-ballet.html|title=Review: At City Ballet, Giving Voice to the Body, With Sneakers|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=January 28, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227142553/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/arts/dance/review-justin-peck-partita-new-york-city-ballet.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/06/arts/dance/review-silas-farley-city-ballet-spring-gala.html|title=Review: Ghosts Hover Over a New Collaboration at City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=May 6, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000305/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/06/arts/dance/review-silas-farley-city-ballet-spring-gala.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Outside of the New York City Ballet, in 2021, he appeared in Twyla Tharp's ''Twyla Now'' program at the New York City Center, dancing in ''Cornbread'' and ''All In''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/18/arts/dance/twyla-tharp-city-center-review.html|title=Review: Twyla Tharp Looks Back, With an Eye on the Future|work=New York Times|last=Burke|first=Siobhan|date=November 18, 2021|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000303/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/18/arts/dance/twyla-tharp-city-center-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, he appeared in Tiler Peck's program at the City Center, dancing in King's ''Swift Arrow'' and Forsythe's ''The Barre Project (Blake Works II)''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/arts/dance/review-a-ballerina-with-jazz-in-her-bones-takes-over.html|title=Review: A Ballerina With Jazz in Her Bones Takes Over|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=March 6, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000302/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/arts/dance/review-a-ballerina-with-jazz-in-her-bones-takes-over.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also an artist in residence at the 2022 Vail Dance Festival.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/arts/dance/vail-dance-festival-roman-mejia-caili-quan.html|title=Vail Dance Festival to Feature Roman Mejia and Caili Quan|work=New York Times|last=Sulcas|first=Roslyn|date=March 24, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000308/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/24/arts/dance/vail-dance-festival-roman-mejia-caili-quan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2023, Mejia was promoted to principal dancer at NYCB.<ref name=Kourlas/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mejia, Roman}} Category:Living people Category:Entertainers from Fort Worth, Texas Category:American male ballet dancers Category:New York City Ballet principal dancers Category:School of American Ballet alumni Category:Dancers from Texas Category:21st-century American ballet dancers Category:American people of Peruvian descent Category:Hispanic and Latino American dancers Category:1999 births