Meet Subra Doyle, a Master Multi-Instrumentalist Who Plays Right Alongside You
Ever wondered what it's like to play in a band? Tell Subra what you want to learn and he'll grab whatever instrument fills out the sound, bass, drums, keys, guitar, so the two of you become a band the moment you start playing. He brings 25+ years as a performing and recording artist to every lesson.
Instruments I Teach
Welcome from Subra
About Subra
Subra Doyle is a celebrated performing and recording artist with more than 25 years on stage, from local clubs to festival main stages to touring around the world. He records and produces his own albums, and his film scoring has been nominated for international awards. When you take a lesson with Subra, you're learning from someone who has actually lived the musician's life.
What makes him different is that he doesn't just teach an instrument, he plays right alongside you. Tell him what you want to learn and he'll pick up whatever fills out the sound, bass, drums, keys, or guitar, so you get the feel of playing in a real band from your first lessons. Whatever you're into, metal, jazz, pop, he meets you there and builds a plan around your goals.
He's also one of the most popular teachers at TTSM and a familiar face around Truckee. Local kids know him from the school assemblies and drum circles he's brought into classrooms across the region, and he leads workshops at the school of music too. For Subra, music and community go together: half of what he does is performing, the other half is helping students of every age fall in love with playing.
His teaching blends real structure with pure musical fun, always with an emphasis on the joy and love of music. Lessons stay light-hearted at every age, students build real skills, and every session still feels like a jam, which is exactly why they keep coming back.
Background & Credentials
- B.S. in Digital Audio Technology, with an emphasis in music production
- Composed film scores nominated for international awards View on IMDb →
- Performed on major festival main stages
- A core team member behind TTSM's school assembly and youth summer camp programs
- Brought group percussion classes and drum circles into schools across the region
- Records and produces out of his own studio in Verdi Listen on Spotify →
See Subra in Action
"Amore" (official music video)
Performing 'Smoke on the Water' with a guitar student at a recital
Live at Mountain Folk Microfest 2019
Jamming with a beginner drum student
Live Looping Guitar Soul Wails
Five Great Minutes of Subra
What Students Love About Subra
Makes It Fun and Easy
Subra turns complex concepts into something simple and genuinely fun to learn.
You're Playing Songs Fast
From the first few lessons you are making real music, not just running drills.
A Working Musician
Decades on stage, in the studio, and scoring film come into every single lesson.
Teaches the Whole Band
Private lessons on six instruments, plus year-round rock bands and Rock Band Camp.
Is Subra a Good Fit for You?
Subra teaches kids and adults, from total beginners to advanced players. Find where you fit in.
Total Beginner
Never played before? You'll learn basic chords, strumming, and your first songs, with patient, zero-pressure coaching.
Stuck and Frustrated
Been playing a while, maybe years, but hit a wall? This is Subra's specialty. He's built a proven path for adult players who feel stuck, getting you past the plateau and back to real progress.
Intermediate Player
Ready to level up? Advanced technique, music theory in practice, and genre-specific styles to expand your repertoire.
Advanced Player
Want to master soloing and looping? Complex improvisation, loop-pedal mastery, and pro performance technique, musician to musician.
Ready to Play in a Band
Want to jam with others or get on stage? Subra helps students of any age start a band, join the youth rock band program, and get comfortable playing live.
What People Say About Subra
25 verbatim quotes from Google reviews. Sort by what you're looking for.
"Working with Subra just for a couple months has opened a whole new level of guitar playing and soloing."
Viktor Lopatkin
Adult guitar student · Google · Mar 2026
"I love that Subra turns every lesson into a fun jam session - I always come out with something actionable that I can play around with for the next week."
Viktor Lopatkin
Adult guitar student · Google · Mar 2026
"2 months of lessons from subra and I've improved more than in the last 2 yrs! Plus his band The Wreckords rocks!!"
Scott
Adult guitar student · Google · Mar 2026
"He has instructed me on not only the basics but also music theory and rhythm. I love going to guitar every Monday..."
Sean Flynn
Guitar student · Google · Mar 2026
"Subra Doyle is such a great teacher! He has a way to keep the lessons and the practice after the lessons fun!"
Jim Yates
Guitar student · Google · Mar 2026
"Everytime I go to subra and do guitar lessons I feel more motivated to play guitar and I learn more!!"
Ali Corley
Youth guitar student · Google · Mar 2026
"Our son (6.5) loves learning drum from Subra. He does a great balance of having fun jamming out and teaching the technical stuff."
Sondrea Larsen
Parent · Google · Nov 2025
"My son has been getting drum lessons for about two years and I've really enjoyed seeing his skill and love for music develop over time!"
Rodolfo Islas
Parent · Google · May 2026
"Subra is also an amazing instructor who encourages and uplifts his students."
Rodolfo Islas
Parent · Google · May 2026
"Thank you for helping her discover her true voice and build the confidence to perform on stage."
Laura Martinez
Parent · Google · May 2026
"We are so grateful to Subra for all of the support, patience, & encouragement you've given my daughter throughout her singing journey."
Laura Martinez
Parent · Google · May 2026
"He thoughtfully created a curriculum for my daughter, who loves writing and composing music..."
Milcah Valiente
Parent · Google · Mar 2026
"Because of truckee Tahoe school of music and subra I will be a future rock star!!"
Ali Corley
Youth rock band student · Google · Mar 2026
"Truckee Tahoe School of Music has been an amazing experience for our kids, especially through the new rock band program."
Bude Piccin
Parent · Google · May 2026
"Subra is an incredibly talented musician and a fantastic teacher who makes learning fun and inspiring."
Bude Piccin
Parent · Google · May 2026
"I recommend Subra if you are looking for multi-instrument support and looking for a one stop shop w/ bass keys guitar and drums."
Aria Mizuhara
Adult student · Google · Mar 2026
"One of my kids took the Foundations in Music class with Subra and learned a ton- piano, ukelele, drums, and the basics of reading music."
Sharon Morjig
Parent · Google · Jun 2025
"She had a blast with Subra every week, he made the class super fun for the kids."
Sharon Morjig
Parent · Google · Jun 2025
"Subra's infectious positivity and massive knowledge about music has really lit the internal fire for my son."
Andrew Laughlin
Parent · Google · Mar 2026
"I was so blown away by Subra, as a teacher, that I have started taking music theory lessons from him for myself."
Andrew Laughlin
Parent & adult student · Google · Mar 2026
"Subra is an artist through and through, and he deeply cares about his students."
Katya Christoffersen
Parent · Google · Mar 2026
"My daughter has been taking his lessons in the past 6 months, and what a HUGE improvement."
Katya Christoffersen
Parent · Google · Mar 2026
"My son is neurodivergent... he approached it with openness, welcomed feedback, and adapted his teaching style to help him succeed."
Milcah Valiente
Parent · Google · Mar 2026
"Subra always stands up for me when there's bullies and haters!!! I'm so grateful and lucky to have subra as a teacher and a friend!!"
Ali Corley
Youth student · Google · Mar 2026
"I just took a class from the amazing Subra Doyle, and look forward to taking more classes in the future."
Darren Cooke
Adult student · Google · Apr 2026
No quotes in that category yet.
Fun Facts About Subra
Eagle Scout and a former summer camp counselor for kindergarteners
Builds a full band live with a loop pedal, playing every part himself
Performs around Tahoe in two local bands, The Wreckords and Wild Ginger
Schedule & Availability
Teaching Locations
Lives and records in Verdi; teaches at TTSM in Truckee (primary) and Tahoe City
Days & Times
Monday - Friday, afternoons and early evenings
Scheduling
Book a trial lesson online or call to schedule
Ready to Start Your Musical Journey with Subra?
Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or ready to take your playing to the next level.
Already a student? Log in to the portal or visit our help page.