Tenor Ridge Ponini is a proud Cook Islander and the first born‑and‑raised Cook Islander to pursue opera as a professional career. He holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the University of Otago, studying with Judy Bellingham, and a Master of Music in Advanced Opera Studies from the University of Waikato. In 2024–25 he was a Resident Artist at Te Pae Kōkako: The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS), working with Nikki Li Hartliep. Ridge is committed to championing Cook Islands culture and language on the operatic stage, returning regularly to Rarotonga to perform in Opera in Rarotonga and inspire emerging artists.
Ridge’s operatic experience spans principal, chorus, and touring roles. With Opera Otago he appeared in John Drummond’s War Hero, performing multiple roles, and sang in the chorus for Don Giovanni. He has performed in semi‑staged productions of Fidelio and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with New Zealand Opera, and toured nationally as the Prince in Respighi’s La bella dormente nel bosco as a 2023 New Zealand Opera Studio Artist. Additional roles include Alexander the Great in Mozart’s Il re pastore with Days Bay Opera.