Dr. Curtis holds three degrees in piano performance, a Bachelor of Music from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Music from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and the Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Texas at Austin.  

She started teaching piano as a graduate assistant at the University of Cincinnati, followed by The University of Texas at Austin.  Full-time professor positions ensued at Baylor University, Howard Payne University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

She has two grown children, Holly & Wesley.  When they were young, she returned to college to become certified in public school music teaching.   After ten years of public-school teaching, she served sixteen years as the Director of Music at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Wilmington.  

Dr. Curtis now divides her time between CFCC and UNCW where she serves as a collaborative pianist