Our Story

When I was a little girl my grandfather would take me to construction sights. I remember watching the process unfold. It started with an empty hole in the ground, then we would return and the frame of a house began to take shape followed by the second story. On and on we would watch the process until it was finished. Looking back, watching things slowly take shape was formational. I saw a vision unfold before my eyes – a foundation built, walls established, something created out of nothing. As an adult I’ve learned that creativity is like building a house. We can dream of what does not exist and then create it, starting with the empty hole. Through inspired vision, dreams become possible and bring beauty to the world.My own story in the creative arts began as a child. I am forever grateful to my mom who enrolled me in ballet classes, piano lessons, arts camps, and later bought my first guitar as I went off to college. Building upon these foundations I studied music in college and later ethnomusicology for my Masters degree. Today music and dance still fill my life. I love to sing, play the guitar, piano, Tibetan mandolin, dramyen, and a little bit of my favorite instrument, the yangqin (hammered dulcimer). My dance training and performances are a significant part of my life experiences, from ballet to ballroom dancing.

Through my 20 years spent in Asia a vision for the business of Rhythmic Patterns emerged in my heart. We started Rhythmic Patterns as a cultural exchange center in China in 2014. Inspired by beauty, satisfied when achieving goals, and hopeful to create what does not yet exist, I live each day with passion and purpose. Life is a gift. I hope to meet you and share some part of this gift with you.

Samantha is a music educator with over 10 years of experience both in the USA and Asia. Developing a love of music from a very small age, I started teaching piano in middle school. In college I continued to expand my passion for music through classical training in piano and music theory. I believe that music fosters wholistic growth in students that extends far beyond musicianship. With a MA in Music Education, I am excited to use my musical training and experience learning other languages to develop arts resources.

I remember sitting on top of massive round haybales in my back yard. My brother and I would climb up using the orange twine that held the baled hay together till we were on top. There are so many memories on the small family farm in North Carolina where I grew up, but weaved throughout the memories are songs. I don’t remember not singing. I get asked sometimes – “when did you start singing?” or “when did you start songwriting?”. I’ve always been a songwriter. The first song I remember trying to write down, or remember the lyric to was done on top of those haybales. I was probably 6 or close to it. Music is in my bones!

I started piano lessons when I was 10 I think, but my piano teacher moved to New Zealand about a year in. When I was 13, I started learning chords and improvisation. I played with various worship teams at my local church. I did a music internship in Texas at 18. After Texas I moved back home to North Carolina and worked myself through community college and ultimately ended up studying music and songwriting at Liberty University as a transfer student. I’ve written for churches, plays, and had a few songs published and recorded. I actually met my husband through songwriting. On an online songwriting conference during the pandemic, I saw my now husband for the first time. We connected over a song I had posted during the conference and the rest is history. I love that my husband and I share a passion for songwriting. Songs bring people together! Songs help us preserve memories and push us forward with the lyric, the messages that become part of who we are. Songwriting has been one of the deepest joys in my life and now I get to share that passion with you here at Rhythmic Patterns!

Born to a Bhutanese family, I developed a love of music at an early age. I started playing guitar as a child and joined a local band to create a sensation on the stage. This childhood experience helped to shape my musical journey. As a teenager, I began writing my own music and performed at events in my hometown. After completing high school, I focused on building my professional carrier as a musician. I enjoyed playing in bistros and bands. In the year 2014, I started producing my own music professionally and recording demos. In my early twenties I decided to help in churches as a musician. Now I am a full-time producer of my own works and the songs of many others.

Kadance is an artist, vocalist, and music teacher. My love of art and music started from a very small age. I remember spending hours looking through my grandmother’s tabletop books of art or making a mess with my pottery wheel in the backyard. I began singing in choir at the age of 5, and my passion for music continues to grow! After studying music in university, I went on to get my Masters in ethnomusicology. In the past few years, I’ve expanded my artistic pursuits beyond music, finding great joy in the visual arts.

While in high school, I enjoyed playing clarinet in the marching band. The excitement of performing in parades and in football stadiums was exhilarating! Even though I held first chair clarinet and studied piano, I considered music a hobby and had never taken it too seriously. I majored in engineering and thought I would be an engineer in Silicon Valley for life. An unexpected turn in my life brought me abroad to Asia where I’ve lived for almost two decades. I’m TESOL certified, have taught English professionally and currently involved with my third business. Now as an entrepreneur, my passion is to transform small businesses not just for profit but to impact their community. I’m thankful to synergize my techy background, international business experience, and hobby of music to the table here at Rhythmic Patterns.

Katherine Giszack was born into a family of educators and is the oldest of three siblings. She is married with three sons of her own and has always had a passion for teaching and learning. After teaching English and ESL for 12 years, she moved into an administrative role, but she still loves interacting with students of all ages. A native of Virginia, she currently lives in the mountains of Southwest Virginia and is delighted to be part of the WAM team.