I am the owner and head instructor of Curtis’ Martial Arts. I was born in Layton and currently live in Syracuse. Since I was a child, I have always had a fascination with martial arts. I loved watching The Karate Kid, The 3 Ninjas, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mortal Kombat and any other Martial Arts movies I could get my hands on. I began practicing Martial Arts in 2002 under Sensei Al Martinez where I was taught Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After two years, Sensei Martinez was deployed to the United Arab Emirates to serve in the Air Force. My search for a new martial arts school concluded at Keith’s Martial Arts in 2004 where I practiced under Keith Stockwell. In 2006 Erik Waller became the new instructor and our name was changed to Erik’s Martial Arts. In 2007 I first earned my Blackbelt (1st Dan) and I am currently 5th Dan (5th degree Blackbelt). Ever since I became a Blackbelt I had realized that I had a passion for teaching and loved teaching classes whenever I was needed. I continue to teach and learn every day, and I love to watch my students grow in both skill and confidence.

In my personal life, I graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in Computer Science in 2011. I married my wife Jessica in 2012, and we now have two children, Owen and Evelyn. Aside from running the studio, I work for a DoD contractor writing embedded software for a variety of systems. My hobbies include martial arts (obviously), weightlifting, photography, fixing and building things around the house, playing video games, watching movies, and spending time with my family.

My first experience with martial arts was a Kenpo class in 1991 at the University of Utah. I really liked learning martial arts but felt awkward and intimidated by the instructors of that class. I joined Erik’s Martial Arts in 2007 and trained under Erik Waller and Clint Drysdale. That experience was so much better. They were always thoughtful, and patient with their students. I always felt comfortable, valued, and able to work within my abilities and potential. I strive to have a similar approach in my teaching. I earned my black belt 11/20/2009 and progressed through the rank of 2nd Dan with Erik. Now I am a 4th Dan and learn from Curtis and like the mix of different styles that we practice. I love being an instructor and teaching at CMA. I get excited when I see students learning and progressing in their knowledge and confidence. I value learning martial arts for fitness, flexibility, coordination, self esteem, and self defense.

I began martial arts by taking Tae-Kwon-Do for a year and a half on Hill AFB in my early teens, but had to quit when my family moved off of the base and it was no longer feasible to attend. I picked up Hap-Ki-Do a few years later when I attended Weber State University and shortly after taking all the three semester courses I could, I found Curtis’ Martial Arts in late 2008. I received my first degree Blackbelt in February 2011, and my second degree in May 2013.

I have been teaching the Thursday night kids class since 2011. I love teaching these kids, watching their skills grow, and getting to have a little fun while we learn. I believe martial arts helps instill confidence and discipline that carries outside of the martial arts studio.