Harmen Tromp startet his education at West Australian Balletschool (1952-1962) and from 1962 to 1967 at Scapino Dance Academy Amsterdam.

He started his career as a dancer at Scapino Ballet, was lateron soloist at Het Nationalballet and at the Ballet Royal de Wallonie, Ballet Basel and Tanztheater Wien. He worked togehter with numerous choreographers like Hans van Manen, Glen Tetley, John Butler, Anna Sokalov, Jeromm Robins, Jiri Kylian, Alfonos Alonso, Jorge Levêbre, Heinz Spoerli, Rudy von Dantzig, Toer von Schayk, Hendrick Tomaszewski and Liz King.