Jess Hendricks | Existential Music

Full Stack Developer | TypeScript, React, Rails & Node.js | Composer | Animator

I'm a senior React developer and full-stack engineer with over 11 years of experience building scalable, high-performance web applications. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work across diverse industries — from energy and health & wellness tech to education and eCommerce — helping companies bring their ideas to life online. Whether I'm crafting a real-time data dashboard for energy traders or a cross-platform mobile app for wellness, I always aim to create an experience that's fast, intuitive, and scalable. My core stack includes React and Next.js (with TypeScript) on the front end, Node.js and Ruby on Rails on the back end, and React Native for mobile development.

Beyond coding, I'm also deeply involved in music and art—creating compositions and projects that blend orchestral storytelling, cinematic soundscapes, and immersive audio-visual experiences. Inspired by the universal connection between sound, emotion, and human existence, my creative work explores the intersection of technology, narrative, and aesthetic expression. My music invites listeners into worlds of introspection and wonder, crafted to resonate deeply on an emotional level.

Feel free to explore the rest of my site and reach out if you'd like to connect!

Development ProjectsSee More...

Current and past web and mobile applications.

Living Music Database

Full Stack Rails and React project for discovering new classical music

Living Music Database is a full-stack web app I built to help users effortlessly discover and explore new music. Developed with React on the front end and Rails on the back end, it leverages PostgreSQL for data storage and SCSS for clean, responsive styling. Every night, a custom Rake task taps into the iTunes, Spotify, and Google APIs to automatically refresh the database, ensuring the content is always fresh and relevant. Users can seamlessly search, filter, and browse artists, albums, and tracks, creating a dynamic, enjoyable experience for music enthusiasts. This project showcases my ability to integrate multiple APIs, handle automated data workflows, and deliver a smooth, intuitive user experience.

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ComposersCape Blog

A Next.JS blog designed and built with a Strapi backend.

ComposerScape is a modern web platform tailored to composers and musicians, offering a dynamic and responsive interface powered by ReactJS and Next.js.

At the core, ComposerScape integrates Strapi, an intuitive, headless CMS backend, allowing flexible content management, seamless API interactions, and efficient handling of composer data, compositions, and related media.

The front-end utilizes clean and modular React components, facilitating maintainability and scalability. State management and dynamic content rendering ensure real-time updates and interactivity, creating a user-centric experience. Deployed to Heroku, the application demonstrates effective use of cloud hosting and continuous deployment practices.

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Dungeon Master Guru

A tool for Table Top RPG Game Master to use during sessions.

DM Campaign Manager is a user-friendly web application designed to simplify managing Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. The app features a React front-end paired with a Ruby on Rails backend, seamlessly integrating OpenAI to enhance storytelling and content generation. State management is streamlined with Redux, providing efficient data handling and responsiveness. Dungeon Masters can effortlessly track characters, NPCs, locations, and session notes, reducing preparation time and maintaining smooth gameplay. Robust search and sorting capabilities ensure rapid access to essential details during live sessions. Open-source and customizable, DM Campaign Manager empowers users to adapt the platform to their unique storytelling needs, blending intuitive design with powerful, AI-driven assistance to help Dungeon Masters focus less on logistics and more on creating immersive adventures.

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