Aaron Peite
Aaron Peite grew up in a small mining community in rural northern Idaho. Aaron started their dance training at the age of 15 with Joni Damiano Bartel. Later, Aaron graduated from Idaho State University (ISU) with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance: Choreography and Performance. Aaron moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2019 and joined Shaun Keylock Company (SKC). While with SKC, Aaron had the opportunity to perform original works by Shaun Keylock as well as be part of an archival project restaging the work of Greg Bielemner. SKC also provided opposites for Aaron to perform solo work at Ten Tiny Dances and was selected as one of the two dancers in The Portland Opera’s premiere of When the Sun Comes Out. Aaron recently started their second season with BodyVox, where he has learned works from the company’s repertoire as well as new works by LeeWei Chao, Diana Smallwood, Brent Luebbert, Asteria Howard, and Éowyn Emerald.
Jessica Hightower
Photo credit Meghann Gilligan-Koehn
Jessica Hightower is a dance artist, choreographer, teacher, and mother. She holds her high school diploma and BFA in Contemporary Dance from University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has trained, performed and taught in France, Japan, and across the United States. She moved to Portland in 2007, and has had the privilege of dancing with Oslund+Company, Bobbevy, Keely McIntyre, Tere Mathern, Top Shake Dance, and others. In addition to self producing her own work, her choreography has been presented locally as part of Ten Tiny Dances, Conduit’s Dance+Series, and New Expressive Works residency program. Most recently, she has restaged her work Problem of Bias (2013), on Shaun Keylock Company, as well as created new work for their 2024 Recharged performance at Lincoln Hall. Outside of the studio, Jessica spends her time gardening, hiking, and exploring with her daughter and husband.
Taylor McDougall
Taylor McDougall is a Portland native with deep roots in the local dance scene. Her biggest inspirations come from music, death, spirituality, and absurd behavior. She received her early training at Oregon Ballet Theatre under the direction of Haydee Gutierrez and James Canfield. During high school she became a Jefferson Dancer, and performed all over Portland, as well as Miami, Philadelphia, and France. During this time she studied with Sarah Slipper, Steve Gonzales, and worked with internationally recognized choreographers. In her adulthood, she has honed her skills as a dance instructor to many ages working in public schools, outreach programs, competitive dance studios, and ballet schools. Taylor has performed with Portland-based TripTheDark Dance Company, working also as a choreographer, and she continues to find inspiration from local teachers in the Portland dance scene. She is excited for this opportunity to learn from the other Chapel Theater residents, and to experiment and show a side of her creative pursuits that many have not yet seen. Aside from dancing, she enjoys time with her daughter, large bodies of water, loud music and fancy food!
Chapel Theatre 