He studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam with Ton Koopman. As original harpsichordist of Musica Antiqua Köln (1976-1983) he made four world tours and numerous recordings as basso continuo player, duo partner and soloist for European radio stations and DGG Archiv, of which several recordings have been awarded the highest distinctions.
Hendrik Bouman made his conducting debut in the world première of the Mass by Alain Pièrard in the Basilique de Notre Dame, Montréal Canada in 1985. The following year he founded the period orchestra Les Nations de Montréal which he directed in 1987 in the world premiere (20th century) of the opera Amadis de Gaulle for the Tricentenary of Lully with soloists and choir of the Atélier de l'Opéra de l'Université Laval, which was broadcasted 'live' by Radio Canada International.
He made his American conducting debut leading the Portland Baroque Orchestra and Choir in performances of Handel's The Messiah in 1990; his solo world premiere debut as performer and composer of baroque music took place in South Africa in 1993; since 1999 in Europe and Canada he has led his ensemble Concerto Felice in world premières and recordings of his chamber music and compositions.
Hendrik Bouman has composed over 45 works in 17th century and 18th century idioms for: solo instrument - harpsichord, piano, organ, cello solo and violin solo; chamber music - quartets, trios and sonatas; orchestral works - symphony, ouverture and suite, harpsichord concertos, recorder concerto; vocal - arias (opera); theme music - television, film and radio.
World premieres of his compositions: South Africa 1993; India 1996/2001; Canada 1994/96/97/98/99 (8 'live' recordings for CBC/Radio Canada); France 2001/02/03 ('live' recording for Radio France of his improvisations and compositions in the Museum of the Cité de la Musique, Paris on the 1647 Ruckers-Taskin harpsichord, Easter Sunday 2003).
In addition, he has made many transcriptions of works by Francois Couperin, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Georg Philipp Telemann, and by J.S. Bach including two Brandenburg Concerti in a version for two harpsichords and an orchestration of his Italian Concerto, several of which he premiered in Canada 1989, Italy 1991 and Belgium 2002.
Bouman's double CD Little Notebook for Anna of his baroque and classical compositions for harpsichord and piano, which he dedicated to his muse Anna, received a Socan Foundation award in 1998. He was recipient of grants for world premieres of his work by the provincal governments of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada.
Festival director of Rendez-vous con Hendrik Bouman (Italy 1992), the Halifax 1749 Baroque Festival (Nova Scotia 1999) and Baroque by the Sea (Prince Edward Island 1999/2004) dedicated to the performance of contemporary baroque and classical composition.
He frequently performs his compositions on harpsichords he designed and built (1995/98). In addition to his many recordings for DGG Archiv, he also recorded for EMI, REM/Radio Canada, Baroque Nouveau. Several of his basso continuo realisations were published by Schott.
Former professor at Concordia University in Montréal and Laval University in Québec, he has given masterclasses and lecture demonstrations in interpretation, improvisation and composition in Europe, Canada, USA, India and South America.
An avid sailor and cartoonist, Hendrik Bouman enjoys travelling about the world with his Anna and their children, and returning to their home on Prince Edward Island.