A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ron has had a long and distinguished career as both a musical performer and a teacher. As a performer, he has played at premier venues of Pittsburgh, including Heinz Hall, Benedum Center, Carnegie Music Hall, Syria Mosque, and Stanley Theater, on radio, television, and movies (most recently seen in Cemetery Club with Ellen Burstin and Danny Aiella). He has performed with such diverse artists as Mel Torme, Rodney Dangerfield, Michel LeGrande, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Liberace, The Skyliners (featured on their hit record, Since I Fell For You), Billy Eckstine, Glenn Miller Orchestra (Ray McKinley), Little Anthony and the Imperials, Mickey Rooney, Jimmy Dorsey Band, The Flamingos, The Modernairs and Bobby Vinton. As a jazz performer, Ron has played with Chet Baker, Larry Coryell, Buddy DeFranco, Mel Torme, Jimmy Ponder, Don Aliquo, Joe Negro, Roger Humphries, Al Dowe, Etta Cox and many other notable jazz musicians. He has performed with his own group in concert at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Shadyside Arts Festival, Penn State University, University of Pittsburgh, as well as in prominent night clubs. Mr. Bickel has also been active as a composer and arranger.

As a teacher, Ron has taught music theory, solfeggio, and jazz piano at Duquesne University, the Guitar and Bass Seminar (also at Duquesne University) and the Centers for the Musically Talented for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Ron is a graduate of Duquesne University, from which he holds a Masters degree. Mr. Bickel is currently Adjunct Professor of Piano at Duquesne University where he teaches jazz piano.