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.
Ralf Mackenbach | |
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Mackenbach in 2022 | |
Born | Ralf J. J. Mackenbach 4 October 1995 Best, Netherlands |
Occupations |
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Musical career | |
Genres | Pop music |
Instruments |
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Years active | 2005–present |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Applied physics |
Institutions | Eindhoven University of Technology |
Website | www |
Biography
editEarly life
editMackenbach 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
editIn 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
editAfter 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
editAlbums
edit- Ralf (2010)
- Moving On (2011)
- Seventeen (2012)
References
edit- ^ "Ralf J. J. Mackenbach". TU/e. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Netherlands first, Russia second at Junior Eurovision". Kyiv Post. November 23, 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ "Ralf Mackenbach". Theaterencyclopedie. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Brandt, Monique (21 November 2009). "Nederland wint Junior Eurovisie Songfestival". Parool.nl. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Findhammer-Schut, Martine. "ZO GAAT HET NU MET RALF MACKENBACH, DIE IN 2009 JUNIOR EUROVISIESONGFESTIVAL WON". Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "RALF - CLICK CLACK". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Junior Eurovision 2022: 11 Champions will perform in Yerevan!". junioreurovision.tv. 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
- ^ "RALF - RALF". DutchCharts.nl. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Debuutalbum Ralf is Goud". Shownieuws. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Heerkens, Robin. "Ken je 'm nog? Junior Songfestival-winnaar Ralf Mackenbach is nu… ingenieur!". Veronica Superguide. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Mackenbach, R.J.J. "Numerical modelling of mode penetration in cylindrical geometries using M3D-C1". TU/e. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Available Energy: A compass for navigating the nonlinear landscape of fusion plasma turbulence". research.tue.nl. Retrieved 2 December 2023.