著名男高音歌唱家，聲樂教育家談柏年先生是《知音合唱團》的創辦人。他是中國享有盛譽的原上海樂團的獨唱演員。

他師從上海樂團藝術顧問董愛琳學習聲樂多年。1966年被新疆軍區文工團錄取成為該團的獨唱演員。
1976年他考取上海樂團。 在上海樂團的十多年裏他在中國六十多個城市舉行了兩千多場音樂會，所到之處報刊雜誌都給予高度評價，特別是一曲“那就是我”把他的名字傳遍大江南北。他多次參加著名的《上海之春》音樂節、《上海國際藝術節》等重要演出。
1986年他應上海歌劇院的特別邀請在法國歌劇《美麗的海倫》中成功地扮演了男主角帕里斯王子。
1985和1986年他隨上海藝術家代表團赴希臘和日本訪問演出。此外他還經常為電台、電視劇錄制節目，並為28部電影、電視台錄制了主體曲。

1988年他來到美國後一直活躍在舊金山灣區的音樂舞台上。 1990年他創辦了《知音歌唱藝術中心》，多年來潛心于聲樂教學，培養了許多歌唱藝術人才，在舊金山灣區桃李滿天下。
自1997年他帶領學生創建了知音合唱團以來，談柏年以他對聲音的嚴格要求和訓練，對和聲的細致入微的追求，對音樂性格敏銳而準確的把握，以及對音樂內涵深切的體驗，在這五年間帶領全體合唱團隊員為《知音合唱團》積累了一套又一套種類廣泛，內容豐富，有著很強的藝術性和表現力的古今中外優秀的合唱曲共54首，並達到了相當的演唱水准。

近年來他除了聲樂教學外，還擔任《知音合唱團》和《矽谷愛樂合唱團》的音樂總監和指揮，並于2000-2001年擔任《旋歌合唱團》的指揮。
2001年他與其子談晨合作錄制了他的獨唱專輯兩張CD《那就是我》，收錄了古今中外名曲共40首。

Bainian Tan Music Director & Conductor
Bainian Tan is a renowned tenor and vocal educator. He studied vocice under Professor Ailin Dong, a famous mezzo-soprano and the music advisor of Shanghai Philharmonic. In 1966, he began his professional career as a soloist with the Xinjian Ensemble. In 1976, he joined Shanghai Philharmonic as the leading soloist. He performed in many cities throughout China, invariably receiving high acclaim. He also performed in numerous special events such as "Spring of Shanghai" and the "International Television Art Festival". Between 1985 and 1986, he toured Greece and Japan with great success. In 1986, he was invited by Shanghai Opera House to play the leading role of Prince Paris in the French Opera "La Belle Helenna". His voice could be heard in numerous TV and radio programs. He also recorded theme songs for 28 films and televisions, and starred in the film "The solo Album of Bainian Tan".
Arriving in the United States in 1988, Bainian Tan has since undertaken many performances and received honorable recognition. He also has been devoting himself to teaching at his own studio, as well as holding the post of music director and conductor of Zhi Yin Singers. Along with his son, Michael Tan, a pianist, he recorded a two-CD set, titled "That is Me", in 2001. This CD set, a collection of forty famous songs and arias from around the world, showcases Bainian Tan＊s wide spectrum of vocal styles.