Many first-year students enter law school after earning degrees in traditionally academic fields, including social science, business, and literature. Second-year UAlberta Law student Heather Cave breaks that mould.
Born and raised in Hinton, Alberta, Cave spent most of her early life dancing and learning, having completed an undergraduate degree in ballet in London and a Master's degree in ballet pedagogy in New York. Her credentials don't end there, as she is also an accomplished Irish dancer, having competed at the World Irish Dancing Championships.
After years of pursuing her passion for dance, she returned home to Alberta last year to begin her legal studies at UAlberta Law. She recently sat down to talk about her previous career and current role as a law student.
[To read about Cave's involvement in moot court competitions - she earned the highest score in the Brimacombe Selection Round in October 2016 - click here and here.]
Q: Prior to law school you completed an undergraduate degree in ballet in London and a Master's degree in ballet pedagogy in New York. What motivated you to teach ballet rather than focus on dancing alone?
A: I originally did want to be a performer, but performing is a very unstable and short career. I decided to focus on teaching instead and have never regretted my choice. Teaching is very rewarding, and I absolutely love it.
Q: What motivated you to go to law school, and why did you choose UAlberta Law after many years of foreign study?
A: I decided to go to law school because I wanted to satisfy my academic side and I wanted to give myself a challenge. I have always been interested in the law and law school had been in the back of my mind for a while, but I pursued dance first because it's something you have to do while you're young.
I chose UAlberta Law because it's a great school with a strong academic reputation, and it's close to my family. Dancing forced me to be away from my family for a long time, and I'm really enjoying being closer to home now that I'm pursuing law. I also hope to practice law in Edmonton after I graduate, so the connections I'm making at the University of Alberta are helpful for that.
Q: What aspects of teaching dance are the most rewarding? The most challenging?
A: There are so many aspects of teaching that are rewarding, but the best part has to be seeing some of my students starting to pursue opportunities in the professional dance world. It's an amazing feeling to have played a part in helping them achieve their goals.
The most challenging aspect of teaching is finding a way to reach the students who are less talented, and still helping them to achieve the results they want. It's always harder to teach the student who is less naturally gifted, but it can end up being very rewarding once you figure out a way to make it work.
Q: What skill(s) from dance transferred the most to your legal education?
A: There are so many skills I learned as a dancer that have helped me in law school. Dance teaches you to be detail-oriented and a bit of a perfectionist, which are traits that I think have helped me in my legal education. Being so busy all the time from dance has also helped with my time management skills, which are really important in law school.
Q: What advice would you give a first-year student?
A: Relax and breathe! It seems overwhelming at first, but it gets easier.
Q: What is the highlight of your time as a dancer/dance instructor?
A: There are too many to choose from! I've been really lucky to have had so many incredible experiences and met so many inspiring people over the years. Graduating with my Master's degree was certainly a highlight.
Q: Do you have plans to continue teaching or dancing during your legal career?
A: I hope so! I'm not sure yet how I'll make it all work together, but I really hope to find a way to pursue both of my passions eventually. Right now I continue to teach quite a lot during law school. It keeps me really busy, but I love doing both. oHow
Q: You have also competed and taught other dance styles, including Irish dancing. Do you have other styles of dance you're passionate about?
A: Since graduating high school I have mostly pursued ballet and contemporary/modern dance. When I was younger I was also trained in jazz, tap, and Irish dancing.
Q: We'll close out the interview with a few rapid-fire questions:
Biggest pet-peeve?
Rudeness.
Describe yourself in three words:
Busy, busy, and busier!
What is the last book you read?
"Shantaram" by Gregory Roberts.
Best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I got in first year was not to listen to all the advice other people throw at you. Just trust yourself and do it the way you know will work for you.
Favourite phone app?
Google Maps. My sense of direction is appalling; I would never survive without it.