MILWAUKEE — Demaryl Howard, a senior at Milwaukee High School of the Arts, is no stranger to Grace Weber’s Music Lab. 

“I’m a frequent performer and attendee,” he said.

Grace Weber’s Music Lab is a free monthly music and arts education program for high school students in Milwaukee held at 88Nine Radio in the Third Ward. On the last Friday of every month during the school year, students get together to jam. 

The nights always start off with a performance from a featured guest, and then students are allowed to ask them questions about the music industry. 

What You Need To Know

  • Grace Weber's Music Lab is sponsored by 88Nine Radio

  • It's a music and arts after school program for Milwaukee high school students

  • The program is free, and held on the first Friday of every month during the school year

Going by his stage name, Sphinx Da God, Howard has been producing music for several years. 

Grace Weber’s Music Lab — which he first started going to three years ago — allowed him to share those beats live with others. 

 “When I came here, that was one of my first times performing,” Howard said. 

Britney Freeman-Farr the music education coordinator for the music lab, said students have a free range on what they perform. 

“We don’t like to have any specific limitations on the kind of music they share,” Freeman-Farr said. “We’ve had folks come in and do beat pad stuff. We’ve had folks that have shared their music productions. Some people come and do poetry, do a cappella, and then we also have full out bands, like multi-parts, drums and basses and everything. It’s really up to giving them the platform that they might not normally get on a regular basis to show their art and showcase it on this stage.”

This night was the first time Grace Weber’s Music Lab got together in person since the pandemic. Freeman-Farr said it’s exciting to see those students in person. 

“To see kids still have that level of dedication is also so heartwarming, but also, I can’t believe how much you’ve grown,” Freeman-Farr said. “To see kids still have that level of dedication is also so heartwarming, but also, I can’t believe how much you’ve grown,” Freeman-Farr said. 

Growing as a musician is exactly what Howard has done — and he credits the music lab for helping him get his start. 

“It really helps me connect with new people, like people who coordinate with music and managers and a lot of important people who I’ve been able to meet who can help me elevate as an artist,” Howard said. 

Because sometimes all it takes for talent to be seen, is an opportunity to let it shine.