Kent Law School student Tabitha Cole has combined her legal studies with a lifelong passion for dance to achieve success on the world stage, returning from the Dance World Cup in Dublin as vice-world champion. With ambitions to become both a barrister and a dance teacher, she shares how she balances two demanding passions and why she chose to study law at Kent.
“I grew up in the Canterbury area and was educated locally. From a young age I knew I wanted a career in law. I even took myself to the Canterbury courts to sit in on the proceedings, fascinated by the barristers. I chose to study at Kent because of its exceptional faculty and approach to legal education. Rather than encouraging students to simply recite the law, Kent teaches us to analyse it, to understand how it has developed and to question it.
Dance has been the most important part of my life since the age of three, when I began baby ballet. When I was seven, I had the opportunity to start competing. I have worked hard over the last few years to improve my performance value. I have trained in a wide range of styles, including ballet, modern, lyrical, Greek, Scottish and tap – the latter being the style in which I have achieved some incredible opportunities.
In May, I competed in the All England Dance regional finals, placing runner-up and securing a place in the national finals. In July, I had the honour of representing England at the Dance World Cup in Dublin. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand amongst the world’s best. I returned home from the World Cup as vice-world champion.
Balancing my training with my studies has been challenging, requiring sacrifices. Both my dance career and legal studies are important to me, and I want to achieve my best in everything I do. In future, I hope to become a dance teacher alongside pursuing my ambition of becoming a barrister.
My advice for current and future students is to be confident and engage actively in classes. Contributing to discussions strengthens your existing knowledge as well as exposing you to different perspectives, which help you to better understand the law.”
A huge congratulations to Tabitha from everyone at Kent Law School – we look forward to following her success both in law and on the dance floor!