Santa Barbara Dance Instructor - Derrick Curtis
805-450-2498 cell
derrick.curtis05@ yahoo.com
Derrick has taught dance in Santa Barbara for more than 22 years as a recreation therapist and ballroom dance instructor. He offers instruction in Ballroom emphasizing both Smooth & Latin rhythms, Club Dances (Night Club Two Step, Salsa, Chicago Two Step, West Coast Swing) Line Dances (Cha Cha Slide, Electric Slide, Hustle) and Party Dances (Cotton Eye Joe, Virginia Reel, Macarena and more). He was an assistant instructor with Kay Fulton at Santa Barbara City College and the Adult Education ballroom dance program.
Youth Dance Program
Derrick implements an ongoing youth dance program at Montessori Center School, Cleveland and Elwood Elementary schools with his wife, Trudie Olsen-Curtis. Derrick served on the Board of Directors of Santa Barbara Dance Alliance and The Brotherhood of Santa Barbara. He has been the Production Director for BASSH (ballroom, argentine tango, swing, salsa and hip-hop), the annual dance showcase at the Lobero Theater. He has performed in the swing dance troupe, “The Flying Lindy Hoppers”, and has choreographed dance routines for Santa Barbara Youth Theater, BASSH, Multi-Cultural Festival, and Solstice. Derrick was the creator of Santa Barbara’s Stomp Out Tobacco Swing Nights, and promoted the Yucatan Swing Nights, both very popular dance events enjoyed by all ages for several years.
Winner of Lifetime Achievement Award for contribution to dance in Santa Barbara
In 2009, Derrick was the recipient of Santa Barbara Dance Alliance’s 12th annual Lifetime Achievement Award for contribution to dance in Santa Barbara. Derrick teaches movement and motor skills development for toddlers, ages 3 to 5 years, and ballroom dance classes at Montessori Center School, as well as instructing all ages at Santa Barbara Dance Center. His latest project, Dare Kids to Dance, is a teen reality dance television show on Channel 17. The show’s mission is to encourage kids and teens, age 10-18, to learn to social dance. During free workshops, Derrick teaches them swing, cha cha, waltz, and many other dance styles for them to do on the show.