Monica Ruggiero

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Monica Ruggiero is an Italian-Australian actor, singer, dancer, and director currently based in Melbourne, Australia. Described as a “rising phenomenal mezzo-soprano” (Stage Whispers, 2024) with an “engaging spirit and soaring voice” (ArtsHub, 2024), Monica has been praised for her “outstanding stage presence and raw emotions” (Lindy Hume, 2024). She made her Australian debut as Kate in The Pirates of Penzance with Prospero Arts at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in 2024. In 2026, Monica is delving into the world of theatre by performing Gabriella in Boeing Boeing, presented by Warrandyte Theatre. In 2025, Monica made her European debut in concert at the Obecní dům - Smetanova síň (Prague, CZE) under the baton of Jaroslav Kyzlink and the Czech Virtuosi. She was a young artist for the Queensland Art Song Festival, and performs regularly in concert and opera with Voxalis Opera, Tyalgum Music Festival, and Springboard Opera, and A Night at the Musicals Brisbane. Monica has displayed outstanding theatrical versatility and vocal diversity across a broad repertoire. Her role highlights include Papagena and Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Melanto (Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Venus (Orpheus in the Underworld), and Mustardseed (Midsummer Night's Dream). Monica is the recipient of the Allan McArthur Memorial Scholarship awarded at the National Liederfest (2025), Elizabeth Muir Postgraduate Award (2025), and Sir Mostyn Hanger Opera Scholarship (2024). She was a finalist for the 2025 Brisbane Club Award. A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Monica holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance with Distinction (2025), and a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours (2024). Monica’s passion for opera and theatre began at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus Ensemble.