Bringing her sophisticated, cosmopolitan talent to the stage, Ans Vaatstra-Heida presents the chapter's last program of the season. She is known for her keen sense of design and clean, dynamic line and structure in her ikebana. Ans often uses containers and structures she has made. Her work is distinguished by self-made structures, painted materials, and unconventional materials such as glass, metals and plastic.

Ans' ikebana reflects an appreciation and understanding of many cultures. She is deeply influenced by years of residence in other countries where she lived due to her husband's work. She maintained her love of artistic expression and always found ikebana teachers with whom to continue her study. She values this wide exposure to the art of different cultures. She is a native of the Netherlands and first "discovered" Sogetsu ikebana while living in Singapore. She moved to Boston in 2003 and in 2006 to the Bay Area where she is a student of the inspiring Sogetsu teacher Soho Sakai.