2026 World Finals Judge
Vadym Ponomarov
Vadym has built a versatile career, starting with personal training and competitive ballroom dancing, and later expanding into contemporary, theatrical dance styles such as show dance and jazz, as well as street dance genres such as breaking and hip-hop. He has participated in various show projects and was a finalist on the TV show Morning Star. He deepened his knowledge of theatre directing and performing arts at the Higher School of Culture and Arts, where he also worked as a contemporary and ballroom dance teacher.
In 1997, Vadym opened his own dance studio and later began working as a judge, advancing his career from national to international dance events. His extensive experience as a dancer, teacher, technical expert and judge informs his work as a lecturer and programme developer, conducting lectures, masterclasses and educational events. Continuing to develop his professional skills, he later undertook further studies at Sumy State Pedagogical University, focusing on Olympic and professional dance. He has also been a national judge for Hip Hop International in Ukraine.
Since 2011, an important area of Vadym's work has focused largely on his role as national representative and organiser of the Dance World Cup qualifying competitions in Ukraine, and later this responsibility was extended to France. Thanks to this, as well as his extensive knowledge of various dance styles, he has been invited to adjudicate Dance World Cup qualifiers in other countries, and from 2022, the Finals as well, including street battles.
In 1997, Vadym opened his own dance studio and later began working as a judge, advancing his career from national to international dance events. His extensive experience as a dancer, teacher, technical expert and judge informs his work as a lecturer and programme developer, conducting lectures, masterclasses and educational events. Continuing to develop his professional skills, he later undertook further studies at Sumy State Pedagogical University, focusing on Olympic and professional dance. He has also been a national judge for Hip Hop International in Ukraine.
Since 2011, an important area of Vadym's work has focused largely on his role as national representative and organiser of the Dance World Cup qualifying competitions in Ukraine, and later this responsibility was extended to France. Thanks to this, as well as his extensive knowledge of various dance styles, he has been invited to adjudicate Dance World Cup qualifiers in other countries, and from 2022, the Finals as well, including street battles.
