Ralf Mackenbach

Ralf Mackenbach
Mackenbach in 2022
Born
Ralf J. J. Mackenbach

(1995-10-04) 4 October 1995 (age 29)
Best, Netherlands
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • actor
  • plasma physicist
Musical career
GenresPop music
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • drums
Years active2005–present
Scientific career
FieldsApplied physics
InstitutionsEindhoven University of Technology
Websitewww.ralfmackenbach.nl

Dr. Ralf J. J. Mackenbach (born 4 October 1995)[1] is a Dutch plasma physicist, artist and former child singer, best known for winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Click Clack".[2] He is the first and to date only Dutch winner of the contest.

Biography

Early life

Mackenbach was born in Best, North Brabant and has an older brother Rick (born 1993). As a child, he starred in the musicals Tarzan and Beauty and the Beast.[3] He attended Amsterdam's dancing academy Lucia Marthas, and studied acting at Centrum voor de Kunsten Eindhoven (CKE) in Eindhoven.[4]

Musical career

Mackenbach at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Minsk

In 2009, at the age of thirteen, Mackenbach won the 2009 edition of Junior Songfestival with the song "Click Clack".[5] As a result, he represented the Netherlands in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009, and went on to win the competition with 121 points. "Click Clack" peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Single Top 100.[6] Subsequently, he appeared in the 2010, 2012 and 2022 contests as part of an interval act.[7]

Mackenbach's debut album Ralf achieved a top 10 spot in the Dutch album charts and entered the Flemish album charts at number 59.[8] In March 2011, it achieved gold status with over 25,000 sales.[9]

In 2011, he participated in the show Sterren dansen op het ijs. He was a judge on the 2011 edition of the Dutch talent show My Name is…. In 2019, he appeared as a judge on the Dutch adaptation of All Together Now.[10]

Academic career

After graduating secondary school with a VWO certificate, Mackenbach studied at the Eindhoven University of Technology. In 2019, he finished a master's degree in nuclear fusion, for which he wrote the dissertation Numerical Modelling of Mode Penetration in Cylindrical Geometries Using M3D-C1.[11]

Continuing his studies at the Eindhoven University of Technology, Ralf completed his PhD cum laude in November 2023 with a thesis titled Available Energy: A compass for navigating the nonlinear landscape of fusion plasma turbulence.[12] He will continue his work as a postdoctoral fellow at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne.

Discography

Albums

  • Ralf (2010)
  • Moving On (2011)
  • Seventeen (2012)

References

  1. ^ "Ralf J. J. Mackenbach". TU/e. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Netherlands first, Russia second at Junior Eurovision". Kyiv Post. November 23, 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  3. ^ "Ralf Mackenbach". Theaterencyclopedie. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. ^ Brandt, Monique (21 November 2009). "Nederland wint Junior Eurovisie Songfestival". Parool.nl. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  5. ^ Findhammer-Schut, Martine. "ZO GAAT HET NU MET RALF MACKENBACH, DIE IN 2009 JUNIOR EUROVISIESONGFESTIVAL WON". Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  6. ^ "RALF - CLICK CLACK". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Junior Eurovision 2022: 11 Champions will perform in Yerevan!". junioreurovision.tv. 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  8. ^ "RALF - RALF". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Debuutalbum Ralf is Goud". Shownieuws. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  10. ^ Heerkens, Robin. "Ken je 'm nog? Junior Songfestival-winnaar Ralf Mackenbach is nu… ingenieur!". Veronica Superguide. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  11. ^ Mackenbach, R.J.J. "Numerical modelling of mode penetration in cylindrical geometries using M3D-C1". TU/e. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Available Energy: A compass for navigating the nonlinear landscape of fusion plasma turbulence". research.tue.nl. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Marissa
with "1 dag"
 Netherlands in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
2009 		Succeeded by
Senna and Anna
with "My Family"
Preceded by
Georgia (country) Bzikebi
with "Bzz.."
 Winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
2009 		Succeeded by