Principal dancer Kochetkova bowing out of San Francisco Ballet after 2018 season

Principal dancer Maria Kochetkova — who has graced the War Memorial Opera House stage with performances in such dances as “Giselle,” “Coppelia” and “Swan Lake” — will be leaving San Francisco Ballet following the 2018 season.

“The time has come for me to move on to other opportunities,” Kochetkova said. “I don’t know what my next big step is going to be, but I’m excited to see where it takes me. I’m very lucky and grateful for the career I had with San Francisco Ballet. I want to thank the dancers I shared the stage with and all the choreographers and teachers that I worked with in the past 11 years who made me the dancer I am now.