Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia on Partnerships, Anniversaries, and More [Video]

It’s difficult to accept the fact that Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia, two principal dancers with New York City Ballet, say falling in love didn’t change their on-stage chemistry. “I think because we started that way, nothing really feels different,” Tiler tells me, as Roman, who proposed in September, nods beside her. “It’s not a forced partnership because we’re together. It already existed.” A study of their co-performances led me to to a 2023 clip of the couple dancing to choreographer Justin Peck’s (no relation) Copland Dance Episodes, where Tiler—who is widely regarded as one of the best ballerinas of our age—dances in the company of a color-blocked-clad corps before Roman enters from stage right, just in time for the finale. 

There’s a moment at the end, as Aaron Copland’s “Small Gifts” swells, when Roman …