Steven Bernard is the northern California songwriter, producer, and creative director of what he's named Heartlanguage. When asked what the name meant, he responded, "Originally, the name I used for my work was 'Language of the Heart,' inspired by a song of the same name. Heartlanguage is really just a shortened version of the same idea. If I were to give it an objective name, it might be communicative empathy. So we go with Heartlanguage," he adds with a laugh.

After a moment, he continues. "To explain myself a little bit, I guess I'd have to say my life's had a very rich infusion of friends and music from every race, culture, and economic status. And early in my Midwestern youth, I was taught a deep respect for this living earth, and all her creatures. My experience has taught me that there is a ground of common goodness that we all can walk on. And the goal the muse of my art drives me to express, is my love for being human, on this delicate, powerful, circle of life we call home."

Expressing this feeling as a songwriter began about 11 years ago. Since then, Steven has quietly written over 150 songs. Eight years ago, he began the more challenging work of producing songs in the studio. Some of his recordings have been played to a wide variety of places in the world like the 2004 Democratic Convention, Native American pow-wows, at a university in Israel (after 9/11, leaving few dry eyes), and other equally diverse audiences. Steven's songs are sung by an equally diverse array of singers. "For me the song is the thing. I do enjoy singing and occasionally perform, but my greatest joy is hearing the most authentic voice to express the feeling and meaning of the song. And I've been blessed with having many wonderful people help express my heart, as I hope my work has helped express theirs. Many Voices, One Heart is our band's slogan. The band is living evidence that, if we speak to each other in the language of the heart, through the universally understood love, music, and shared aspiration, the boundaries between people disappear."

That is the message that makes the music of Heartlanguage. When asked what type of music it is, Steven grinned and answered, "We like to believe it's good music." -- Ben Wade Lee