On any given day, Associate Director of Admission David Bloom can be found welcoming prospective families to Chadwick; running a Wavelength rehearsal filled with student-led creativity; or reconnecting with students who remember him from theater, Jubilee Singers, or the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) work that shaped much of campus life. Across his many roles and years at Chadwick, one thing remains constant: his belief that schools are built on relationships.
Before initially coming to Chadwick in 2014, Bloom lived and worked in Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent years in educational theater and ran his own production company. Moving to California marked a major turning point. Since then, Chadwick has been central to many of his life’s milestones, from marriage to raising three children. “This place has been so interconnected with the most important things that have also happened simultaneously in my family life,” he says.
When Bloom joined Chadwick over a decade ago, he taught upper school and middle school theater while directing productions like Disney’s The Lion King Jr., Disney’s Aladdin Jr., and Shrek Jr. In his third year, Bloom founded the Jubilee Singers, a gospel-centered vocal group that became a powerful space for connection, culture, and expression.
Bloom recalls students playing a defining role in shaping his philosophy as an educator. He recalls being struck by students’ commitment to justice, equity, and community, which pushed him to think more deeply about how his work could support meaningful institutional change.
Bloom says, “Something I’ve really appreciated is that I always felt like there’s been a responsibility and accountability from students to make me the best version of myself.”
Through Jubilee Singers, Bloom was able to blend music with mission. Performing music while fostering a sense of belonging and community was an essential part of the vocal group. “Our message and mission were love, connection, and justice,” he explained. At one point, every affinity group leader on campus was part of Jubilee—a testament to its intersectional ethos.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloom stepped into the role of Interim Director of DEI, navigating unprecedented challenges while prioritizing student connection. Although his new role unfolded over Zoom, he found new ways to build belonging, holding weekly meetings with students and families.
“Belonging is one of the most important pieces of DEI work,” he said. Even remotely, he focused on listening, whether that meant institutional planning or simply showing up for students through Zoom calls.
During his time as Interim Director of DEI, Bloom oversaw the establishment of the Student Diversity Council and the school’s first Social Justice Day, both traditions that have been vital to the Chadwick community since their inception.
Currently, Bloom works in the admissions office and as the director of the Wavelength, a new co-curricular designed to bring people of different music tastes and interests together to create a supportive community. Wavelength is made to cater to different venues and events, such as performances featuring full-group vocals, small ensembles, a cappella pieces, duets, and solos.
“I’ve really been enjoying Wavelength, even though I wasn’t signed up for it at the start of the year. I feel lucky to work with such a talented group and have that space for musical expression,” says Derek Somers ’26.
On Jan. 10, Wavelength hosted Wavelength Unplugged in the Laverty Center for the Performing Arts. In this concert, the Wavelength musicians found existing songs and reinterpreted them in new and interesting ways. In the spring, Wavelength is set to host an outdoor concert, the Wavelength Music Festival, as well as a final concert at the end of the year.
In his admissions role, Bloom especially works with kindergarten applicants and families. Being a father has given him a new lens to view connectivity with students. Bloom has gotten the opportunity to continue building connections with all kinds of students, deepening his relationship with Chadwick.
