Computational Media Grad Builds at the Intersection of Computing and Music

Jack Hayley’s path through Georgia Tech’s computational media program centers on exploring how sound and software work together across film, games, and interactive media. 

Before arriving in Atlanta, Hayley attended Yew Chung International School in Chongqing, China, where he completed the Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) program, before returning to the United States to earn an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma from the Utica Academy for International Studies. 

With longstanding interests in computer science (CS) and digital music, he sought a program that would allow him to develop both simultaneously. 

“I wanted a program that had a strong technical foundation but with creative applications in music,” he said. 

Georgia Tech’s computational media program stood out for its connection between the College of Computing and the School of Music. By choosing threads in Intelligence and music technology, Hayley explored the intersection of the two disciplines. 

Creating Through Code and Sound  

At Tech, Hayley explored computing and creativity through programs such as the Robotic Musicianship VIP. He credits Center for Music Technology Professor Gil Weinberg and Ph.D. student Amit Rogel with pushing him to do his best work and for strengthening his confidence in blending technical and artistic approaches. 

That blend of mentorship and experimentation carried into his broader creative practice. As technical director of Baja Badlands Productions, a film and multimedia studio he co-founded, he composes music, designs sound, and manages technical production, including the studio’s website. 

One of the studio’s recent short films, Myopia, was showcased at several film festivals and received recognition for its original score and cinematography.  

He has also collaborated with Georgia Tech’s student organization VGDev and indie developers to create audio for video games. 

“I find this to be a great avenue for my combined interests, as creative control of audio often requires software implementation to achieve immersive sound,” he said. 

Among his favorite projects is Sleighers, a game he co-led. The project integrated networking systems, 3D modeling, level design, and immersive audio, and was later exhibited at DreamHack Atlanta, where the team gathered feedback from players and developers. 

Learning and Leadership  

Beyond creative production, Hayley developed technical and leadership skills as a teaching assistant for CS 1332: Data Structures & Algorithms, eventually becoming a head TA. 

The role challenged him to communicate complex ideas, support students one-on-one, and coordinate with large instructional teams, thereby deepening his understanding of core CS principles. 

“Being a TA reinforced my understanding of CS concepts as I designed assignments and explained material clearly,” he said. 

He also contributed to course development by helping design assignments and synchronous assessments that emphasized application-based learning. His work was recognized by Georgia Tech’s Center for Teaching and Learning with the Online TA of the Year award. 

He credits faculty mentors, including School of Computing Instruction (SCI) faculty member Frederic Faulkner and Interim Chair Mary Hudachek-Buswell, for shaping his growth as an educator. 

“They’ve both been instrumental in my development as a leader, and I admire their determination to strengthen the quality of CS undergraduate education at Tech,” he said. 

Looking Ahead 

During his time at Tech, Hayley interned as a software development engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Atlanta, where he worked on an infrastructure-based solution. The experience reinforced the importance of adaptability in the field. 

“What I’ve found from this experience is that software development is not a skill that is solidified once; instead, it necessitates continual lifelong learning,” he said. 

After graduation, Hayley will return to AWS as a full-time software development engineer while continuing his creative work in film and game development. 

He encourages other students to take full advantage of interdisciplinary opportunities. 

“Take advantage of the opportunities Tech has to offer with respect to technology and creativity,” he said.  

“I found tailoring these components towards a blend of CS and music allowed me to get the most out of my time here.”