Now 16, Leigh is the founder of EverEverest, a nonprofit focused on supporting foster and underserved youth through educational programmes, mentorship and supplies. His recent recognition as one of the 2026 Barron Prize for Young Heroes winners has brought renewed attention to his work. The Barron Prize describes Leigh as a young concert pianist who has organised more than 50 benefit concerts, raising $70,000 for foster youth. It also credits him with helping raise an additional $2 million for Foster Love, a major US nonprofit serving children in foster care.
For Everett, the piano has become more than a stage for showcasing musical talent. The California teenager has used concerts, competitions, and his growing network in the classical music world to raise money and awareness for children facing difficult circumstances.
EverEverest says the gala raised more than $1 million for foster children, while the 2026 Barron Prize announcement credits Leigh’s involvement with helping generate $2 million for Foster Love. His musical journey has continued to expand in 2026. Sempre Musick named Leigh a Grand Prix winner in its 2026 Concerto Competition. The award gives him an opportunity to perform with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2026-27 season. The competition’s profile again notes his more than 50 international competition victories and his work with EverEverest. He was also selected as one of the finalists in the 2026 Vancouver Piano Sessions Concerto Competition. 3 with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra at the competition’s gala concert.
He has won three consecutive Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Awards alongside special recognitions from the U.S.
Everett is the sole Junior Piano Soloist appointed by the United Nations , representing UNITAR, with his performance at the “Piano Recital Recording Concert for Refugees” at the UN Plaza featured in a documentary produced by the UN. He has also performed as a soloist with orchestras including the Pacific Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony and SoCal Philharmonic. His performances have taken him to venues including Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Congress. But his work away from the concert stage has become an equally important part of his story. One of the biggest parts of that effort has involved Foster Love. Leigh has performed at the organisation’s fundraising gala, including alongside America’s Got Talent winner Richard Goodall. In August, he performed the third movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. Leigh’s activities extend beyond conventional classical performance. He has explored the intersection of music, artificial intelligence, engineering and neuroscience through BioMus, a project that investigates ways brain signals and facial movements can be translated into musical expression. His Steinway profile also identifies him as a Young Steinway Artist and notes his appointment as a Junior Piano Soloist representing UNITAR, the UN Institute for Training and Research.