Curt’s passion for rhythm began before he could walk, banging on boxes until his parents gave him a proper drum kit at age six. By fourteen, he was performing gigs with his family, and later went on to share stages with New Zealand icons such as Rodger Fox, Tina Cross, Midge Marsden, Prince Tui Teka, and many others. He studied jazz with Frank Gibson Jr. in Auckland, then trained at the Percussion Institute of Technology (PIT) in Hollywood, LA—honing his craft at the Musicians Institute under world-class mentors like Joe Porcaro and Ralph Humphrey.

Life called him overseas into the film industry, but Curt never hung up his sticks—he kept the beat alive in clubs and jam sessions around the globe. Each return to Aotearoa brought a warm welcome from his music whānau, rekindling old connections and sparking new collaborations.