Ralph van Raat studied at the Sweelinck Conservatorium with Ton Hartsuiker and Willem Brons. Additionally, he studied Musicology at the University of Amsterdam. He continued his studies abroad, with among others Claude Helffer in Paris and Ursula Oppens in the United States. He has won various prizes for modern music. Also, he has published several musicological articles.

Together with pianist Maarten van Veen he recorded works for two pianos, such as Hallelujah Junction by John Adams and the Concerto en ré mineur pour deux pianos et orchestre by Francis Poulenc.

Ralph van Raat is a teacher of contemporary piano music at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Utrecht Conservatory. In 2003 he became a Steinway Artist.