Judges From Around the World that Support Nailympia Competitions
4 Nailympia Judge
Tetiana Dudiak
United States
Academy| Consultant| Developer of Industry Standards| Online training| Salon
Area of judging expertise: Nail Extensions, Nail Architecture, Competition French, Salon French, French Twist, Stiletto, Extreme Shapes, Manicure & posters
Years as a judge: 2
Number of Nailympia events judged: 4
Nailympia events judged: Orlando, Anaheim, San Antonio, Online
Are you an educator?: Yes
Industry accolades: I'm an international nail educator, Nailympia Judge & INJA Curtain Judge with 19 years of professional experience. A multiple NailPro Europe champion, I was recognised among Europe’s Top 5 nail enhancement professionals in the Veteran Division & earned awards at national championships in manicure, nail enhancement & nail design. I've been educating nail professionals since 2014, founded my own nail school in Odesa & worked as a technologist for F.O.X. Today, I own TATI Nail Studio in Massachusetts & prepare technicians for prestigious competitions, combining advanced nail architecture, product chemistry & competition standards in my work.
Favourite nail brands: My experience as a F.O.X. technologist taught me to evaluate products by their chemistry, performance & technical purpose rather than popularity. I have worked with many professional brands, including Light Elegance, CND & Astonishing, but I'm still looking for a brand I can fully trust & represent in the United States. Ideally, I would like to work within one complete professional system - from gels to acrylics - with materials suitable for both precise salon services & high-level competition work. For me, a brand partnership must be based on proven product performance, shared professional standards & genuine confidence in every product I recommend.
Industry figures you admire: Viktoriia Klopotova, my first teacher, shaped my understanding of precision & competition French. Yana Kutova and Nadiia Uzun contributed to my development as a competitor. I admire Tom Holcomb for his lasting influence on competition French, Aleksandr Finko for his contribution to education & shape development & Oana Flutur for her discipline & professional consistency. Elena Maltseva influenced my artistic vision, while my continued education with Elena Popova reminds me that even an experienced educator & judge must always remain a student.
Career biography: I began my career as a nail technician in 2007 & became an educator in 2014. After relocating to Odesa, I founded my own nail school & developed original programs in manicure, nail enhancement & competition preparation. In 2019, I earned PRO certification in Nail Enhancement & Manicure & began collaborating with F.O.X., later becoming a brand technologist. In 2020–2021, I became a multiple NailPro Europe champion & ranked among Europe’s Top 5 nail enhancement professionals in the Veteran Division. After relocating to the United States, I became a licensed nail technician in Massachusetts, opened TATI Nail Studio & continued my work as an educator & competition trainer. Today, I serve as a Nailympia Judge & INJA Curtain Judge.
Personal biography: Originally from Ukraine, I am now based in Massachusetts, USA. I combine my work as a studio owner, educator, competition trainer & judge with full-time college studies in Business Administration. Outside the nail industry, I enjoy strength training, reading, travelling & spending time with my family & dogs. I value discipline, continuous education & a well-organised life.
Why you believe in nail competitions?: I believe a nail technician grows faster through competition than through advanced training alone. A course provides knowledge, but the competition floor tests whether that knowledge can be applied independently, accurately & within a strict time limit. Competitors receive scoresheets & professional feedback from qualified judges, allowing them to identify specific weaknesses & continue improving with a clear direction. Preparation develops not only quality, but also speed, consistency, discipline & the ability to perform under pressure. It teaches technicians to evaluate their work through measurable criteria rather than personal opinion. Even without winning, a competitor leaves the floor with stronger technical skills, a more precise professional eye & a higher standard that also improves their salon work.
Advice to competitors: My advice is simple: enter & do not be afraid. Nailympia has different divisions, so you compete at the appropriate level of experience - not against the most advanced professionals from your first day. A medal is never guaranteed, but professional growth is. Even if you do not place, the preparation, judges’ scores & analysis of your mistakes will make your next competition set - and your everyday salon work - significantly stronger. You do not need to feel completely ready before entering. Competition is part of what makes you ready.
Nail work
