Detroit’s young musicians are getting a world-class boost this summer, thanks to Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, who has brought a free music program to youth in the city.

Smith, one of rock’s most celebrated drummers, is lending his name and energy to the initiative, which offers Detroit-area young people access to music instruction at no cost. The program reflects a growing commitment among professional musicians to give back to communities where music has deep cultural roots — and few cities in America have a richer musical heritage than Detroit.

The effort adds to a broader wave of youth-focused programming making waves in metro Detroit this summer. Coach Danny Hugan is also making headlines by building a girls flag football version of the Sound Mind Sound Body camp through Michigan Cold Hearts, expanding athletic and personal development opportunities for young women in the region.

Sound Mind Sound Body is a well-known Michigan institution that uses sports as a vehicle for character development, academic achievement, and community connection. Hugan’s initiative extends that mission to girls flag football, a rapidly growing sport, ensuring more young women have access to the program’s life-skills curriculum alongside competitive athletic training.

Together, these two programs speak to something special happening in and around Detroit this summer: community leaders, coaches, and even rock stars are showing up for the city’s kids — investing time, talent, and resources to open doors that might otherwise stay closed.

Whether it’s picking up drumsticks for the first time or lining up on a flag football field, Detroit youth are finding new arenas to discover their potential — and the adults in their corner are making sure those opportunities are free and accessible to all.

Sources: MLive.com, facebook.com