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 and School of Rock alumni. He has been teaching music since 2019 and working with School of Rock since 2022. Manny fell in love with the guitar at age 9 and since then has played in an array of projects ranging from garage rock, to hardcore, to R&B. Manny started his SOR journey as a student at the San Jose location.
Years passed playing music independently before Manny joined School of Rock San Rafael as a teacher, helping them open their doors. 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 a large advocate for the benefits of music education. It plays an important role in our society and it can help us grow in amazing ways. Spreading the world’s most celebrated language, and watching students master their craft, fuels Manny to be a part of School of Rock Alameda.
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.
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.
Eli Streich
Drum Teacher, Rock 101 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!
Sophia Kaufmann
Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Rookies Teacher
Sophia Kaufmann is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator from Oakland, California. Kaufmann graduated from Macalester College in 2023 with degrees in music and sociology and now performs and teaches private lessons in the Bay Area. She began her musical career by taking ten years of classical piano lessons. She later picked up guitar before honing in on her primary instruments, electric and upright bass. Sophia grew up playing in jazz and rock groups in the Bay Area and attending the Stanford Jazz Workshop, where she was awarded a full merit scholarship to attend the workshop in 2019.
At Macalester College, Sophia was the manager and upright bassist for the big band. She spent several years in Minnesota performing with jazz groups at venues and the mainstage of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. She also performed, recorded, and wrote music for her band Bakermiller Pink. Sophia moved back to the Bay Area in 2025 where she is continuing to perform as a jazz musician and rock musician with the band Founders Day. Sophia brings experience teaching students of all ages and experience levels to School of Rock Alameda. In addition to private lessons, she has coached ensembles and developed curriculum for Women in Jazz programming.
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.
Jitszy Little
Drum Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Jitszy is a multi-instrumentalist from San Diego, California where she graduated from School of Rock all the way from Rock 101 to AllStars, and is now back at School of Rock Alameda as a drum, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard + piano teacher.
She is a drummer first but loves to sing, play guitar and any instrument she can get her hands on. Jitszy holds a degree in Music Composition from San Francisco State University, where her compositions and orchestrations have been performed by a wide variety of ensembles.
Jitszy is interested in all forms of musical expression and exploration and is an active performer and composer of avant-garde, experimental music. Her chamber music has been published under her name and she is currently drumming for the noise improv trio "Pluh!", the angular art punk band "OMG Printer" and the digital hardcore project "Heater".
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.
Latashia (Sarge) Govan
Vocal Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher
Joey Oliveira
Bass Guitar Teacher, Guitar Teacher
School of Rock Alameda teacher Joseph Oliveira is a guitarist and bassist who has played in various original rock bands for over a decade. Their favorite types of music includes rock/country/folk/indie.
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.
Drew Schibsted
Bass Guitar Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
Kurt Mueller
Guitar Teacher
As a guitar teacher, Kurt channels his professional experience in production and design into accessible, engaging lessons that emphasize creativity and practical understanding. With an academic foundation in Communications and Journalism from SUNY College at Brockport (Magna Cum Laude), and advanced training in Instructional Design from Harvard Extension School, he blends technical skill with pedagogical insight. Whether teaching guitar fundamentals or the art of audio storytelling, Kurt inspires students at School of Rock Alameda to explore the intersection of music, technology, and narrative expression.