Suzanne Sparr
Owner, General Manager
Suzanne's career started in the San Francisco Bay Area's independent music scene in the 1990s. First working and living at the Maximumrocknroll Magazine house in San Francisco, she learned all aspects of publishing the monthly international music magazine from the late DIY-music legend Tim Yohannan. Suzanne went on to work for Mordam Records, the largest independent music distributor, as the Marketing Manager.
Suzanne moved into the broader business world, working at Bain & Company for six years before transferring to a leadership position at a local composites manufacturing company for the last 15 years.
Suzanne reconnected with her musical roots through her two teens joining School of Rock. The program had a powerfully positive impact on her kids, who were never into sports but sought community. At an inflection point for her next career steps, Suzanne feels fortunate to establish her own School of Rock in Alameda with the help of a stellar team.
Manny Alnabulsi
Music Director
Manny Alnabulsi is a multi-instrumentalist, teaching guitar, bass guitar, drums, keys and vocals. He has been teaching music since 2019 and working with School of Rock since 2022. Manny fell in love with the guitar at age nine and since then has played in an array of projects ranging from garage rock, to hardcore, to R&B. Manny started his School of Rock journey as a student at the San Jose location.
Years passed playing music independently before Manny joined School of Rock as an instructor. Over five years and three schools later, he has moved through the roles of Show Director, Assistant Music Director, and is now the Music Director at School of Rock Alameda.
Manny is an advocate for the benefits of music education. He strongly feels that music plays an important role in society and helps students grow in amazing ways. Manny is fueled by spreading the world’s most celebrated language and watching students master their craft!
Sarah Whitman
Studio Coordinator
Sarah Whitman (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of the amazing School of Rock Alameda team as Studio Coordinator! Her passion for music began at an early age when she was introduced to Fleetwood Mac. Sarah knew very young she wanted to make art and perform for a living and to marry a musician, which she is very fortunate to say she achieved!
Sarah has a background in the arts, having received her AA and BFA in Acting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2016. Since graduating, Sarah has gained experience working in childcare, as a visual merchandiser for various Bay Area retail locations, as well as, most recently, the office manager at Berkeley Playhouse. She previously worked as Studio Coordinator for School of Rock Berkeley and is so excited to continue to help provide performance-based music education to all.
Alex Chan
Vocal Teacher
Alex Chan has received his BFA in Music Theatre from American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles CA. Also with a certificate of dance from Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Alex had the privilege to learn from the best with; Ross Chitwood, James Lent, in Voice to Shelly Hutchinson in Broadway Dance Center.
On days when Alex is not busy trying to be the next Broadway veteran, some of his personal special skills achieved include being a competitive swimmer who received a junior Olympic time in the 50 free and can hold a conversation in Cantonese Chinese. Alex looks forward to inspiring students to the wonders of Broadway to the next generation of performing artists at School of Rock Alameda.
Alex Franklin
Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Drum Teacher
Alex Franklin is a musician from Oakland, CA. Alex song-writes through various bands, creating original music for Owl Licks, Wish Granite, and Portland Oregon's David Motocross David. His vocals and multi-instrumentalism have appeared on eight full length albums. He has collaborated with Michael Manring, Saint Mary’s Dance Company, Elihu Knowles, Eli Streich, and Emilio Davalos. Alex began teaching music in 2018. He teaches guitar, keyboard + piano, drums, and bass guitar at School of Rock Alameda.
Daisy Hall
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher
Daisy is a multi-instrumentalist from Oakland. She has been teaching music since 2022 and started playing the drums at age eight. Since then she has learned to play guitar, bass guitar, and went to recording school to receive a certificate in Music Technology.
Daisy specializes in the heavier sides of music having lots of experience playing in punk, hardcore, and metal bands from across the Bay Area. She can be currently found performing drums in the punk band, Citrus Pit, and guitar in the post-punk band, Absent Shadow. Daisy's goal as a teacher at School of Rock Alameda is to present music in a fun and as easy to learn way as possible.
Eli Streich
Drum Teacher, Rock 101 Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Eli is an Oakland-based drummer, bassist, songwriter, and noisy individual. Growing up in and around the Bay Area DIY music scene, Eli has held onto the same ethos his entire life: anyone and everyone can (and should) make music! He holds a diploma from Oakland School For The Arts with an emphasis on instrumental music, as well as a Bachelor of Music from Sonoma State University, with a focus on Jazz Studies.
Aside from working as a music teacher and freelance musician, Eli also regularly gigs all around the Bay Area with local art-rock outfit Gumby’s Junk and math/post-punk group Feefawfum. Eli’s goal as a teacher at School of Rock Alameda is to not only develop technical ability behind the kit, but to also foster creativity and enthusiasm for music!
Eric Matsuno
Bass Guitar Teacher
Eric Matsuno is a multi-instrumentalist, bassist, DJ, and electronic musician/programmer with decades of experience performing, recording, and creating music. He began on trombone, a foundation that translated seamlessly to the bass, and in college played in a punk band that opened for Primus.
Today, Eric performs with KARMACODA and East Bay Soup Kitchen, and works as a studio bassist, bringing energy, groove, and creativity to every project. As a dedicated music educator, he mentors aspiring musicians, helping them develop technical skill, confidence, and a love of performance. Eric’s teaching emphasizes collaboration, mastery of the instrument, and the joy of making music as part of the School of Rock Alameda community.
Sarah Harris
Vocal Teacher
Sarah Harris is a coloratura soprano from Redding, California, trained in most modern singing styles such as jazz, musical theatre, pop, and rock with a specialty in opera. Sarah graduated from Shasta College with her Associate’s Degree in Music and is currently in her senior year, pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and a concentration in teaching at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Sarah has always enjoyed teaching voice and musicianship skills to those with a desire to learn. She believes music is incredibly therapeutic and knows there are many who would benefit from it, just as she did when she was younger.
In Sarah's own words, "I feel my main purpose in life is to sing and to help others sing as well." She is beyond excited to be a part of the School of Rock Alameda family.
Whit Whitman
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Rookies Teacher
School of Rock Alameda teacher Whit is a life-long musician who started playing the drums at age ten and the guitar at 13. She’s been writing and recording her own music for almost as long as she’s been playing the guitar.
Whit went to recording school in 2019 and received certificates in live sound engineering, sound recording, and sound design.
Orion Songster
Assistant Studio Coordinator, Camp Counselor in Training
Orion is joining School of Rock Alameda as an assistant studio coordinator and camp counselor in training.
Orion is a recent high school graduate of Oakland for the Arts with a focus on literary arts and is a published author. He plays bass guitar and was a member of the rock and folk music bands at OSA.
Orion previously worked as a Camp Counselor at the Oakland Zoo in their summer youth programs.