TIANA HERRERA, president

Tiana hails from Winnemucca, Nevada, and grew up dancing with the Winnemucca Irrintzi Dancers and later, Reno’s Zazpiak Bat while attending the University of Nevada. This is Tiana’s fourth year in the group and third year on the board, previously serving in the role of Secretary. Tiana has enjoyed becoming an active part of the Boise Basque community and is excited to continue that work with her position on the Oinkari board and teaching for Boiseko Gazteak. Outside of Oinkaris, Tiana is an elementary school teacher. In her free time you can find her reading, hiking, or traveling. She is thrilled to take on another year as President administrating our business affairs and is excited to welcome this year’s new class of Oinkari dancers!

Favorite Dance: Iribaseko Ingurutxoa

BRENNA GARRO, Vice President

Brenna was born and raised in the Boise area and has been dancing since she was a kid. This is her 15th year as an Oinkari and her third year serving on the Board. After previously serving as Fundraising Chair, she is excited to continue supporting the group as Vice President, where she oversees travel logistics, budgeting, billing, and permitting. Brenna is a proud University of Idaho alum — Go Vandals! When she is not dancing, she enjoys her work at Idaho Power and spends her free time hiking, camping, and traveling.

Favorite Dance: Bateleren

Amaya Herrera, Women's Dance Director

Amaya grew up in Winnemucca, Nevada, dancing first with the Winnemucca Irrintzi Dancers and later the Reno Zazpiak Bat Dancers while attending the University of Nevada. This is her sixth year in the group, and she has previously served on the Board as Fundraising Chair and Vice President. When she’s not dancing, you can find her reading a book or crafting. Amaya works at Basque Museum & Cultural Center as the Curator of Collections & Exhibitions and also helps instruct for Boiseko Gazteak. In her role as a Dance Director, she will work with Michael to plan and oversee all practices and performances, while ensuring the traditional accuracy of all choreography and costuming. She cannot wait to welcome the next generation of dancers to the group and help them find their love for Basque dancing, just like her instructors did for her!

Favorite Dance: Jota Zaharra

Michael Lejardi, Men's Dance Director

Michael started dancing with the Oinkaris in 2012 after learning Basque dancing with the Homedale youth dance group, Herribatza Danzariak. As Dance Director, he will work with Amaya to plan and run all practices and performances. Starting his 15th year in the group, he is excited to teach the next generation of Oinkaris. Michael graduated from the University of Idaho as a Computer Engineer and is currently working at Micron.

Favorite Dance: Aurreko Ezpata 

MIREN SIEBER, Secretary

Miren is a sixth generation Boise Basque. She is a junior in high school, and this is her third year with the Oinkaris, but her first year on the Board. Outside of Oinkaris she dances at Ballet Idaho Academy in Boise, volunteers weekly at the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, plays the trikitixa with Txantxangorriak, takes Basque language classes through the Basque Museum, plays the piano, and rides horses with 4-H.

Favorite Dance: Matelota

Jaclyn Lasuen, PUBLIC RELATIONS

Hailing from Mountain Home, Jaclyn has been dancing since before she can remember, and has been with Oinkaris since 2007. She has previously been a part of our Oinkari board as Social Liaison, Public Relations Director, and Women's Dance Director. Public Relations Director is responsible for our active social media, communication with the public--especially our treasured alumni--and maintaining the yearly scrapbook. Jaclyn also serves on the board of directors of the Basque Museum & Cultural Center and is Vice President of the Mountain Home Basque Association. She is the North American Basque Organization's Dance Chair and she teaches Boiseko Gazteak youth dancers. She also teaches high school Spanish.

Favorite Dance: Jota Barri

ALexandra Hicks, Fundraising Chair

Alex was born and raised in Boise, Idaho where she has been dancing for the past 12 years: first with Boiseko Gazteak, and now with the Oinkaris. This will be her fifth year in the group and first year on the board. Outside of dance, Alex attends Boise State University where she studies anthropology and plays as a violinist in the Symphonic Orchestra. This year she looks forward to sharing the love of Basque culture through fundraising.

Favorite Dance: Iribaseko Ingurutxoa

matteo wilsey, SERGEANT-at-Arms

Matteo was born and raised in Boise and is currently attending his senior year at Bishop Kelly High School where we plays football and lacrosse. Going on his 4th year as an Oinkari and first year on the board, he is excited to become more involved with the group. As Sergeant-At-Arms, Matteo looks forward to maintaining the condition of the equipment and updating the equipment that needs it. He is excited to travel to different festivals with the group this year.

Favorite Dance: Banako

sasha phillips, Social Liaison

Sasha was born in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to Boise, Idaho in 2018 where she first began dancing in Boiseko Gazteak. After Covid-19, she began dancing again, this time with the Oinkari Basque dancers. She is very excited to take on her first board position as Social Liaison, and when she’s not in practice or down at the Basque Block, she’s a student at Boise High School and takes Euskara classes online with her Ama. Sasha is eager to welcome all the new dancers this year and see new and old faces at all of our performances! 

Favorite Dance: Ustai Haundi