Biography: Ron Curtis is a native to Idaho and alumni of Northwest Nazarene University. After graduating from NNU in 1994, Ron began teaching the first of his 30 years in public education. Ron has taught elementary general music, middle school band and choir and high school band and choir. Most of those years were teaching high school choir in the Vallivue School District. Ron is highly involved in the Idaho Music Educators Association and has served many roles including President and his current role, All-State Manager, where he and his team prepare the venues and conductors for over 700 Idaho music students every year. As a high school choir director, Ron’s students traveled from Anaheim, California, to New York City every other year to perform at various festivals and events. Ron was selected as the Idaho Music Educator of the Year in 2022-23 and the IHSAA Music Educator of the Year in 2023-24. Ron is passionate about Music Education and the role it plays in sustaining music for all! Ron is excited to be starting his collegiate career at his alma mater and hopes to continue the long tradition of excellence the Music Department is known for around the Northwest.

Favorite Thing About Working at NNU: My favorite thing about working at NNU is knowing that the investment my professors poured into me over 30 years ago is now my responsibility for the students who I come in contact with every day!

Share a few facts about your specific area(s) of expertise that you bring to the classroom: Ron brings 30 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Through these experiences, Ron is able to relate and give advice on many different situations and scenarios. Ron also has many choral ensemble experiences that relate directly to reaching out to the community to share hope, faith and love.

Share a few pieces of information that represent your teaching experience and why you love working with students: My favorite thing in all of teaching is when a student begins to believe in themselves and that they are capable of achieving great things through hard work and determination. It’s even better when they realize it is God working through them and the glory is given freely to Him!