Hendrik-Jan Renes studied at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam with Adriaan Boorsma, former tuba with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. At the age of 21 Hendrik-Jan Renes became tuba player with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra (1979). In 1983 he left to join the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. From 1988 he filled the post of solo tuba in the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Hendrik-Jan Renes is permanent tuba player with the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, of the Doelen Ensemble and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Brass. He toured with the Netherlands Brass Quintet to lands such as the United States of America, Canada and Indonesia.

He has frequently performed as soloist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, tha Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble. He recorded the Tuba concerto by Vaughan Williams for television with the Radio Philharmonic Orkchestra.

In addition he teaches at the Rotterdam Conservatorium, Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, and the Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp.