Remixing the rules
For the CS is Everything campaign, we wanted a soundtrack that didn’t just sound powerful—it had to feel like change. That’s where Hil Jaeger came in. A composer, producer, and sonic storyteller, Hil brought her unique voice to our anthem video — and it shows. Her music is bold, emotive, and full of possibility, just like the campaign itself.
We asked Hil to talk about her experiences as a woman in music and coding, her creative identity as a queer artist, and what drew her to this campaign. Her insights? As inspiring as her sound.
On Being a Woman in Music
Q: As a woman in music production, what’s something you wish more people understood about your work behind the scenes?
Hil: The music behind media of any kind — be it a film, ad, or TikTok spot — has immense power. It determines the mood and emotion of what you’re seeing and can radically change the energy and message of the media. Many men in this industry have preconceived notions of what I can and cannot do. I have to work doubly hard to rewrite what those assumptions are while simultaneously being confident in traits I find missing from a gender gap culture. Not only do I work fluently in CS, but I bring to it emotional nuance and empathy which, in my opinion, are superpowers in this kind of artistic work.
Q: Can you tell us about a moment in your music career where you felt like you truly found your voice, or your sound?
Hil: I scored a podcast where each episode asked an artist to speak about their most famous work. I had free rein to compose an entire score in response to the genre or conceptual style of that artist. I composed and performed around 30 minutes of music per episode, and because I was pushed to write in so many different genres, I was able to truly hear my singular voice through it all. I was nominated for an Ambie award for Best Original Score for the series, and it was really powerful to have that voice recognized!
On Coding + Creativity
Q: Have you ever dabbled in coding or tech yourself? If so, how has it intersected with your music or creative process?
Hil: I got my BFA in Music Technology at California Institute of the Arts, where we learned to code in a digital arts context. In the program, we all had the chance to explore how we wanted to creatively interact with computer science. I’m obsessed with sound, and as composers today, we get to compose with sounds we’ve created that have literally never existed before — it doesn’t get more powerful than that! I use computer science to create those sounds and instruments, and there isn’t a part of my artistic process that doesn’t use or interact with technology. Sometimes the tech is front and center in the sounds and production I choose, and other times, it’s simply used to capture and accentuate the beauty of acoustic instruments.
On Identity & Pride
Q: As a queer artist, how does your identity shape the music you make — or the spaces you create through sound?
Hil: I think anything in life that allows you to feel “otherness” is a superpower in art. Being queer allows for such beautiful creativity of the self, and as a child I consistently played with how to creatively express myself. This was most often in the form of music, and I listened back to the echoes of the sounds I made as a reflection of who I was.
Q: What does visibility and representation in creative industries and tech industries mean to you right now?
Hil: Tech industries are so often formed and run by the same, very small sampling of the human experience. Given the obvious and immense power that technology has in changing the course of humanity, I think it is vital to have a bigger swath of representation at the helm of these companies. Arm yourself with a searing understanding of computer science and use it to fuel expressive, artistic creativity to change the course of humanity!
On the CS is Everything Campaign
Q: What drew you to the “CS is Everything” campaign? Was there a particular message or moment that resonated with you?
Hil: I adore the CSiE campaign and it was such an honor getting to make music for it. There has been emphasis on getting more women into computer science fields, however, there has lacked emphasis on why we aren’t there in larger numbers in the first place. I love how CSiE focuses on the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and strives to change the conception of CS and where it shows up in careers.
On Advice + Inspiration
Q: What advice would you give to young queer creators or girls interested in music, tech, or both — but not sure they belong?
Hil: I would say it is crucial to understand that the only reason why we’ve ever felt we “don’t belong” in music or tech is because the knowledge behind it has been gatekept. It’s time for this to radically change. There is nothing you cannot learn, nor understand. Demand the knowledge so that you can be given the keys and create anything you can dream up.
Q: If you could remix one message to the next generation of girls in tech and the arts, what would it sound like?
Hil: Whatever you do not like about the current culture of CS, you can change by demanding the knowledge, immersing yourself in it, and then using the tools to create — tracks, beats, videos, concepts — to weave your art and vision into the tapestry of the technologically driven world you wish to live in.
Hil Jaeger doesn’t just compose music — she reimagines the world through sound, code, and courage. Her work on the CS is Everything campaign reflects a core truth we believe deeply: When more voices are invited to the table, the story — and the soundtrack — gets a whole lot better. Thank you, Hil, for bringing your voice, your vision, and your vibes to this campaign.
