In 1984 Ron enlisted in the United States Air Force and performed in the USAF Band of the West as lead and bass trombonist, principal euphonium, second tubist, and feature vocalist. Ron is currently bass trombonist with Mid-Texas Symphony in Seguin, and he will be the featured artist for the May 9, 2004 concert.

Ron's diversified career has led to performances with the San Antonio Symphony and Festival Orchestra, and Victoria, Texas Symphony. Ron recently performed as Guest Artist with the Temple Symphony Orchestra and the Flint Michigan Pops Symphony Orchestra. His Broadway touring show credits include; "West Side Story," "Showboat," "Ragtime," "Chicago," and many others.

Ron has also performed with Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, Lena Horne, Rosemary Clooney, Dizzy Gillespie, the Temptations, and other well known entertainers. As a noted jazz musician, Ron performs with the Ron Wilkins Quartet in the San Antonio and Austin area at Luna Fine Music Club and the Elephant Room. He also often performs with the group, "Small World" and is featured on Small World's CDs "Seasons of the Heart" and "Live at the Landing." In June of 2001, Ron performed with Small World at the American Federation of Musicians Union Annual Convention in Las Vegas. In May 2002, Ron was a featured artist in Denton, Texas at the International Trombone Association's 2002 International Trombone Festival.

As an educator, Ron cultivates a studio that produces many Texas All-State Band performers. He teaches alto/tenor/bass/trombone, euphonium and tuba methods, jazz improvisation, jazz combo, and voice. Ron was recently named Director of Jazz Bands at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.

Ron has performed at numerous Jazz Festivals across the country including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Mile High Jazz Festival at Denver, Colorado, and the Wichita Jazz Festival, where he was named Outstanding Jazz Soloist. In November of 2001, Ron was Artist in Residence at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In September of 2003, Ron was Guest Artist with the Bob Snyder All-Star Big Band at the Grand Hotel-Mackinac Island Michigan Jazz Festival.

Ron is an Edwards Trombones clinician and plays them exclusively. He recently released his first CD, "Ron Wilkins: A Tribute to the Masters." At this time, he is working on his second CD, "The Sleeper has Awakened."

Ron has a beautiful daughter, Emily, handsome son-in-law, Salim Khalil, and brilliant new grandson, Xavier Everett James. Currently, Ron teaches private low brass and jazz improvisation in San Antonio, performs as a freelance artist, and happily lives with his wife Rhonda and their two cats, Lippy and Fluteytail.