The Heartbeat of the Future is a treasure chest of children’s songs encompassing a variety of themes with unique perception and sensitivity: The wonder and care of the earth and the natural worlds, world geography awareness and discovery, the human body and the human journey with a special appreciation of aging and death. It is all held together by the continuity of the music itself which moves from upbeat world rhythmic folk to sweet lyrical acoustic. All the songs come from Talking Hands Talking Feet inspired education school programs, workshops, performances and celebrations in light of the need in young people for new modes of learning, perception and experience in response to the time we live in. After all, children are the hope and heartbeat of the future. Paul A. Zeir grew up in the landscape of the Colorado Front Range, where he attributes much of his natural education. He was immersed in music from the very beginning, his mother being a concert pianist, church organist and choir director. He learned the basics on the piano from the age of five and took up the guitar at age 12, writing songs and composing music since he discovered the gift to be able to do so. Music, the Rocky Mountains, rhythmic sports and the longing for a sense of purposeful community were his principle mentors growing up. Paul’s search for vocation always accompanied by a sense of mission began with the Institute of Cultural Affairs where he lived and worked with indigenous people in Alaska, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. He also studied at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and Colorado University in Boulder between his travels. His education continues to this day, deepening and broadening through a variety of researches best characterized as the field of Human Development and Education. The world of child education opened up when he became a father of two boys. His primary wish as a parent was to provide a rich and loving educational environment in the home and family life which included natural human theater arts. And thus the adventure into children’s education began! Talking Hands Talking Feet emerged in response to the greater need for integration of the arts in education environments as a primary influence in ones development. Paul’s love of people, love of humanity and sense of purpose combined with a variety of talents from barding and storytelling to minstreling and conducting makes for a very bright half of the equation of Talking Hands Talking Feet. It would not be complete without the talents and presence of his long term companion and inspiration Melanie Zeir.