Started his dancing career as a boy teaching dance assisting Mr. L. E. Dare who was ballet master at the M.E.T. In 1888 the Duryea School of Dance was established and was still going strong into the 1940's. Duryea was entertainment manager at Narragansett Pier for the Mathewson Hotel for thirteen years (summers).

   Arranged many dance numbers for movie studio's such as Fox, Paramount, Warner and United Artists as well as satged many plays along with teaching many movie personalities such as Mary Pickford. Created a new dance called the "Two-Two" in 1916.

   On September 3rd, 1914, the "American Society of Professors of Dancing"had already set in motion, standardizing the steps of the Fox-trot. Oscar Duryea who already was a long established Dancer was hired to introduce the dance to the public. Duryea modified Fox's dance, as the trotting could not be kept up for long periods without tiring out the dancers, so the trot was replaced by a glide or "Saunter." This "new Foxtrot" was an instant hit and has remained a stable part in anyone's dancing syllabus ever since.