Roman Mejia is an American ballet dancer best known as a principal dancer with New York City Ballet (NYCB). Famous for his explosive jumps, lightning-fast footwork, and energetic performances, he became a principal in 2023. He’s also married to fellow ballet star Tiler Peck.
From his childhood in Texas to performing some of ballet’s most demanding roles, here’s his story.
Roman Mejia’s Biography
Here are some quick facts about Roman Mejia, including his age, family, and professional background.
- Real Name: Roman Mejia
- Birthday: November 30, 1999
- Birthplace: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Professional ballet dancer
- Dance Style: Classical ballet, neoclassical ballet, contemporary ballet
- Father: Paul Mejia, former ballet dancer and choreographer
- Mother: Maria Terezia Balogh, former professional ballet dancer
- Siblings: Isabella Mejia and a younger brother
- Wife: Tiler Peck (married June 22, 2025)
- Dance Company: New York City Ballet
- Current Rank: Principal Dancer
Roman Mejia Net Worth
Roman Mejia’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed by a reliable financial source.
As a principal dancer with New York City Ballet, his professional income comes from ballet performances and potentially guest appearances and other dance-related engagements.
His work with major festivals and internationally recognized choreographers has also expanded his professional opportunities. However, no verified information establishes his annual salary or total personal wealth.
Roman Mejia Personal Life
Roman Mejia comes from a family deeply connected to classical ballet. His father, Paul Mejia, danced with New York City Ballet, while his mother, Maria Terezia Balogh, performed with Chicago City Ballet and Fort Worth-Dallas Ballet.
Roman married NYCB principal dancer Tiler Peck on June 22, 2025, in New York City. Their wedding included a ceremony at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and a reception at Tavern on the Green.
Outside ballet, Roman has spoken about enjoying fitness, cycling, video games, and reading.
Early Life
Roman Mejia was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 30, 1999.
Growing up, ballet was practically everywhere around him. Both parents were professional dancers, and his father helped lead the Metropolitan Classical Ballet in Texas.
Roman began taking ballet classes at just three years old.
His parents noticed his natural sense of rhythm and encouraged him to develop his abilities. He regularly watched professional performances and became familiar with the atmosphere of ballet theaters long before considering it a career.
But ballet wasn’t his only childhood activity.
Roman also played soccer, studied piano, and practiced tae kwon do. These activities helped develop his coordination, musical awareness, and athletic abilities.
His parents later intensified his ballet training, introducing him and his sister Isabella to the demanding Balanchine technique.
At age 13, he entered the Mejia Ballet Academy, where he continued building his technical foundation.
Roman eventually became interested in the School of American Ballet, the prestigious training institution connected to New York City Ballet.
In 2014, he attended its summer program. He returned in 2015 before enrolling as a full-time student.
The Way to Become a Professional Dancer
Training at the School of American Ballet brought Roman Mejia into a more competitive environment.
He suddenly found himself surrounded by talented young dancers who shared the same ambition of reaching a professional company.
The transition wasn’t entirely smooth.
During his early training, an ankle injury prevented him from participating in important school performances. He also had to balance demanding ballet classes with academic studies.
Still, Roman continued improving.
As a student, he received opportunities to appear in New York City Ballet productions. One of his earliest experiences involved performing as a mouse in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.
The role was small, but stepping onto the company’s stage was a major moment for the young dancer.
In August 2017, Roman officially became an apprentice with New York City Ballet.
Only a few months later, in November 2017, he joined the corps de ballet.
His professional career had officially begun.
The Breakthrough
Roman Mejia’s early breakthrough came through a combination of the Vail Dance Festival and important New York City Ballet casting opportunities.
In 2017, NYCB principal dancer Tiler Peck recommended him to Vail Dance Festival artistic director Damian Woetzel.
Roman was invited to perform George Balanchine’s Tarantella with Lauren Lovette.
The performance helped introduce him to audiences outside New York and gave him experience partnering with established professional dancers.
Back at NYCB, he quickly began receiving featured roles.
One particularly important opportunity came in 2018, when he performed Mercutio in Peter Martins’ Romeo + Juliet.
The role allowed him to demonstrate both his athletic technique and dramatic personality.
Instead of remaining unnoticed in the corps de ballet, Roman was already attracting attention as one of the company’s promising young performers.
The Journey to Success
Roman continued developing his reputation through demanding roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and contemporary choreographers.
His performances in Allegro Brillante, Fancy Free, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Western Symphony demonstrated his speed, musicality, and natural theatrical instincts.
In 2019, Dance Magazine selected him for its annual “25 to Watch” list, and he received a Princess Grace Foundation-USA Dance Fellowship.
But that was only the beginning.
In October 2021, Roman was promoted to soloist at New York City Ballet. The following year, he became an artist in residence at the Vail Dance Festival.
His biggest professional milestone arrived in February 2023, when NYCB promoted him to principal dancer.
He has since taken on leading roles in Apollo, Prodigal Son, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty.
In 2026, he also performed in Tiler Peck’s Symphonie Espagnole, continuing his work in newly created choreography.
Roman Mejia Dance Style
One thing that makes Roman Mejia stand out is the sheer energy he brings to classical ballet.
His primary dance style is classical and neoclassical ballet, particularly the fast and athletic movement associated with George Balanchine’s choreography.
If you’ve watched Roman perform, you’ve probably noticed his powerful jumps, remarkably quick turns, and sharp changes of direction.
He can travel across the stage with impressive speed while maintaining the precise footwork that demanding ballet combinations require.
His interpretation of Rubies, from Balanchine’s Jewels, is a great example.
The choreography combines syncopated musical rhythms, angular shapes, and playful theatricality. Roman’s quick reactions and confident personality fit naturally into that movement vocabulary.
Another recognizable quality is his enthusiasm.
In roles such as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, he uses energetic jumps, expressive gestures, and comic timing to create a lively character.
He’s also influenced by Edward Villella, the former NYCB star celebrated for his athletic performances.
But Roman’s dancing isn’t limited to explosive technique.
Working with choreographers such as Alonzo King and William Forsythe has encouraged him to explore contemporary movement, different musical accents, and less traditional ballet shapes.
In his partnership with Tiler Peck, his attentiveness and musical responsiveness are just as important as his individual technical ability.
Awards and Major Achievements
Roman Mejia has received several important honors throughout his professional ballet career.
- 2019: Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” – Selected.
- 2019: Princess Grace Foundation-USA Dance Fellowship – Recipient.
- 2020: Clive Barnes Award – Finalist.
- 2021: New York City Ballet – Promoted to Soloist.
- 2022: Vail Dance Festival – Artist in Residence.
- 2023: New York City Ballet – Promoted to Principal Dancer.
These achievements reflect Roman’s steady development from a promising young performer into a leading professional dancer.
His Princess Grace Fellowship recognized his artistic potential, while his principal promotion placed him among New York City Ballet’s highest-ranking performers.
Roman Mejia and Tiler Peck
We can’t talk about Roman Mejia without mentioning his connection to Tiler Peck.
Tiler is one of New York City Ballet’s best-known principal dancers, and the two have developed a successful professional and personal partnership.
They first performed together at the Vail Dance Festival in 2018, dancing Balanchine’s Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux.
Their partnership continued through other projects, including Alonzo King’s Swift Arrow, which premiered in 2021.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two became closer while collaborating on dance projects.
Their romantic relationship eventually led to an engagement in September 2024.
On June 22, 2025, Roman and Tiler married in Manhattan.
The celebration began with photographs at Lincoln Center, a meaningful location because of their shared ballet careers.
Today, they continue performing together and separately, bringing their different artistic strengths to both classical repertoire and contemporary productions.
Final Words
Roman Mejia is now an established principal dancer with New York City Ballet, performing roles that demand both technical precision and strong artistic personality.
What makes him particularly exciting to watch is his combination of powerful athleticism and an obvious enjoyment of dancing.
As he continues exploring classical masterpieces and new choreography, there’s plenty of reason for ballet fans to keep following his career.