WHO I AM
Hello, and thanks for being here!
I’m Shalene Hill. I’m a swim instructor, singer, and healing arts practitioner from Asheville, North Carolina. For over 13 years, I've been helping fearful swimmers, children with special abilities, anxious adults, and fellow swim instructors discover that water safety doesn't have to come through force or fear.
My Story-Song-Swim method focuses on nervous system regulation first - using music, storytelling, and play to help people feel safe before asking them to be brave.
It took me 10 years to write my first book. Not because I didn't know what to say - I'd been telling the same story and singing the same song in every swim lesson for over a decade. The hardest part was simply starting.
That's the caterpillar's journey, isn't it? We're afraid to take our feet off the ground until one day we realize we have to reach for those higher leaves. Every fearful swimmer I work with faces this same moment of courage.
My approach combines:
Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance from Appalachian State University
Music Therapy coursework
Western North Carolina's first certified survival swim instructor
Adaptive aquatics training with Swim Angelfish
Waldorf Education background
Swim Whisperer's™ Program certification (Level 1)
Former preschool gymnastics coach"
Recent Work:
In 2025, I published two books: 'The Caterpillar's Song of Courage' (a children's story about transformation) and 'Swim Skills for Children Using Story and Song' (a guide for families and instructors). Teachers are now using these books in classrooms from Florida to North Carolina to help children navigate fears and changes.
I present my method at swim instructor conferences nationwide, including the Superhero Swim Academy retreat in Napa Valley. I also conduct school presentations and author visits, bringing story and song to children who need encouragement to be brave.
Beyond the pool, I'm cultivating my Singing for Healing practice and leading a Quirky Choir in Asheville - creating spaces where people can explore their voices without judgment or performance pressure.
As a mother of two adult daughters who've been the driving force behind my courage to share this work, I understand what it means to watch someone you love face their fears. That's why I approach every student - child or adult - with patience, playfulness, and deep respect for their emotional journey.
TESTIMONIALS
Chris Martin, 2nd Grade Teacher at Artspace Charter School in Swanannoa, NC
“Our second graders were so engaged during the story and they sang the Fuzzy Caterpillar song in class while reading the book on their own.
Using “The Caterpillar’s Song of Courage” was a great arts integration to our Monarch life cycle unit. Students were able to describe the life cycle of the butterfly through story and song. We just hatched caterpillars and watched the live life cycle of butterflies we released to fly to Mexico for their journey.
After exploring the caterpillar’s story, students were able to reflect on hard things and scary things and put themselves in the place of the caterpillar when feeling scared. They had much to share in their writing journals.
I would recommend this book and presentation to other classes studying life cycles and/ or wanting a connection to a local author to learn and connect with the writing process. Shalene is fun, engaging, kind and collaborative. She is an amazing educator and integrates the arts into her presentation to connect with all learners. Her message of everyone being an artist is powerful!”
Ellen Dennis, Mother, Asheville, NC
“We cannot say enough great things about Ms. Shalene!
The summer before we started lessons with Shalene, my daughter, Kennedy, fell into the pool without her floaties and was found flailing under water after an unknown period of time. To say that both my daughter and I were nervous to get back in the water without floaties is an understatement. She was terrified to do lessons. I texted Shalene before our lesson to let her know Kennedy's previous experiences with water and to let her know that she is naturally a more timid girl who takes some time to warm up.
During our first lesson, Shalene assured Kennedy that she would only do what she was comfortable with and Shalene was incredibly patient with her. She let Kennedy take the lead and was gentle in her approach. Kennedy reacted so well to listening to the story and singing the songs. It calmed her down and helped her to forget her fears and try new things.
Through her Story, Song, Try method, I watched my fearful daughter fall in love with swimming in just a few short weeks. When we started lessons, I could not have even dreamed that she would have the confidence she has in the water by the end of this summer!”
Kathy Boos, Grandmother, Asheville, NC
“My granddaughter was 3 years old when she started taking swimming lessons from Shalene. She had difficulty with her speech and focusing skills outside of the water but when Shalene began giving her lessons her swimming capabilities and comfort in the water excelled. Shalene provides an approach that makes the lesson fun yet focused. My granddaughter had always looked forward to her lessons and learns a new skill and/or improves on an existing swim skill at each lesson. My granddaughter is now 6 years old, has started school and is progressing with with her piers. I am convinced that her swimming experience with Shalene has helped her with her life skills outside of swimming.”
Eryn Murman, Mother, Asheville, NC
“Shalene’s story-song method style of teaching was incredibly welcoming to my children who both had fears of swimming. I was met with a lot of resistance in past swim lessons, but with Shalene they were captivated by the playfulness of story - becoming the caterpillar overcoming an obstacle, and the safety of community (working with Shalene and parent). All of this gave them a sense of empowerment and washed away the fearful element. I witnessed their nervous systems calm and self regulate with song. I highly recommend this approach to other families!”
Natalie Pantaleon. Survival Swim Instructor, Lake Worth Beach, FL
“As a child centered swim instructor working primarily with babies and young children, I focus on teaching water safety skills in a gentle, playful way. The Caterpillar Song of Courage and its companion, Swim Skills for Children Using Story & Song, perfectly align with this approach.
The use of story and song has truly enhanced my students’ experience — helping them feel safe, calm, and engaged while learning. These books have taken the practices I was already using to the next level, making my lessons more joyful, connected, and effective. I’m so grateful for these thoughtful resources that honor each child’s emotional journey while teaching essential swim skills”
Ulrika Faerch, Author of Happy Babies Swim
“Shalene’s focus on story and song is beautiful. These timeless forms of communication inspire, soothe, and teach in ways that connect deeply with both children and adults. They allow us to engage emotionally, which is crucial for learning and meaningful relationships. Swim Skills for Children invites parents and educators to discover or rediscover their own unique rhythm with children, creating moments of joy and trust.”
