Ron Blankinship holds a M.A. in ministry and a B.A. in music from Oklahoma Christian University. He studied classical percussion with K. Dean Walker and Regina Birchall in Oklahoma City and studied steel pan and hand drumming with Dr. Lennard Moses of Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. Professor Blankinship is the percussion instructor at USAO, a husband and father of four, and the preaching minister at the Southern Oaks Church of Christ in Chickasha. He regularly performs on the steel drums at nursing homes and various civic events.