Curtis Ryan Smith began his piano studies in his hometown of Macon, Georgia, where he received his first lessons from concert pianist Louise Barfield. His teachers have included Eugene and Elisabeth Pridonoff, Edmund Battersby, and James Tocco. He has also received additional training from Harvey Wedeen, Norman Krieger, and Michael Coonrod.

In addition to performing, Smith is an enthusiastic teacher. He currently serves an adjunct professor of music at both Randolph College and Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and also teaches privately out of his home. He has served as an associate instructor of secondary piano during his time Indiana University and as a graduate assistant in secondary piano while at CCM, where he taught both group piano classes and private piano lessons.

In 2013, Smith was invited to perform the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Matinée Musicale in Cincinnati. He was also invited to perform a solo recital as the season finale of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Morning Music Club of Macon, Georgia. In addition to the standard repertoire, he is also an enthusiastic champion of lesser known works, featuring composers such as William Grant Still, Benjamin Britten, and most notably, the piano works of his namesake composer, the late pianist-composer Curtis Curtis-Smith. Smith is also an active chamber musician, collaborative pianist, and concerto soloist. He is married to concert pianist Woori Kim, with whom he performs in the piano duo Les Quatre Mains.