Megan Nicotera Bids Farewell to the Stage: A Legacy of Passion, Resilience, and Authenticity
After more than a decade of lighting up San Diego’s stages with power, grace, and authenticity, Megan Nicotera is stepping away from professional ballet performance.
Her retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in her life — and the continuation of her deep commitment to dance in new forms. In this intimate interview, Megan reflects on her journey, shares pivotal moments, and offers heartfelt advice to the next generation.
Megan Nicotera in Carmen with California Ballet in 2018 | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
Born to Dance, with Heart and Soul
For Megan, ballet has always been a part of her DNA. “My great grandmother and grandmother were both professional dancers and my mom loves to dance!” she shares. “It’s in my genes, so I do think dedicating my life to dance was meant to be.”
Megan trained at Nevada Ballet Theatre from age 4 to 18, when she began her professional career as a member of their company for two seasons. Even in her youth, Megan felt most at home on a stage. “Dancing on stage feels like freedom,” she reflects. “It’s where you can bare your heart and soul, where you can try to make yourself and your audience feel truly alive.”
Her path hasn’t been linear — she quit ballet at 20 and took a four-year break before reigniting her passion in 2012. From there, she leapt into San Diego’s ballet scene with the passion, spunk, and power that has become her trademark. “It’s been an honor to dance on the stages here in San Diego for 13 years.”
Turning Disappointment into Determination
One performance that left a lasting impression wasn’t about triumph, but resilience. “I had been rehearsing for Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco with a company for about four months,” Megan recalls. “Two days before the performance, I was told I was being taken out because I looked too big on stage. It was crushing — I had never once been told this before, and I had dedicated so much time and effort to the role.”
Instead of letting that moment break her, it became a turning point. “I was deeply shocked and disappointed, but I knew there was still more for me to accomplish. I worked harder than ever to prove to myself that no one could take away my power, or the love I have for ballet.”
Megan candidly discusses the industry’s often narrow expectations. “A big challenge for me has been making a space for myself. The ballet world can be very one-size-fits-all, cold, and one-dimensional,” she says. “But ballet dancers come in all shapes and sizes. We try to be ‘perfect,’ when, really, being unique can be the most beautiful thing.”
This is echoed in a quote by Koshin Ogui that Megan says has grounded her throughout her dance journey: “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”
Megan credits two mentors for helping her harness this determination to grow technically and artistically later in her career: “Jared Nelson and Michael Breeden really saw me. They both gave me the tools and encouragement I needed to push past my physical and mental limitations.”
Megan Nicotera in Justin Peck’s In Creases in 2023 | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”
Megan Nicotera in Raúl Salamanca’s The Nutcracker in 2024 | Photo by Sam Zauscher.
The Next Act
“I am very happy with my decision to retire,” Megan says with clarity and peace. “When Golden State Ballet was founded, I was honored to be part of it. These last four years have pushed me farther than I ever thought I could go, thanks to the wonderful staff here.”
Though her time as a performer is drawing to a close, San Diego’s ballet community has not seen the last of Megan. “I am firm in my decision to dedicate my life to ballet,” she says. “I will continue to teach and stay involved as much as I can. I’m looking forward to new opportunities that can only come once this chapter has closed, and I will continue to let dance guide me through life.”
For Megan, ballet has never been just about lines, leaps, or technique.
“I hope everyone I’ve shared a studio with remembers that we do ballet because we love it,” she says. “It’s a way to express your soul with the music and with the people around you. You can make your dreams come true and have fun without losing yourself trying to please someone.”
Throughout her career, Megan has remained rooted in that belief — that joy and authenticity should never be sacrificed for perfection. Her journey wasn’t about fitting into a mold but embracing what made her different.
And if she could offer one message to the young girl who once stepped into her first ballet class?
“To little Megan: The things that make you feel different and out of place now will become your superpowers later in life. You weren’t made to fit in. You were born to stand out.”
It's a message she hopes will resonate with the next generation — not just as dancers, but as people learning to trust their voice in a world that often asks them to be quieter, smaller, or something they're not.
Final Curtain, Ongoing Passion
As Megan takes her final bow on stage, her spirit, strength, and commitment to dance continue to inspire. Her story is a powerful reminder that authenticity and perseverance leave the most lasting impression — far beyond the footlights. Whether in the studio, the audience, or simply in the hearts of those she’s touched, Megan Nicotera’s legacy in ballet will continue to bloom.