I don't usually get into conversations of this kind as I find that people seem to have so many preconcieved notions about different types of music..i.e. "classical" is the music of "snobs" and the "educated"! Whatever that means. I have been listening to folk music for many years and I love it..However, the best singer I have ever heard, bar none, is Cecelia Bartoli...not only because she has been well "trained" but because she sings with such passion and deep understanding.
   Also, I belive that Judy Collins was trained as a pinist and not as a singer, that is not to say she isn't a grand singer, she is.
I guess my overall point is that I hate the stereotyping of classical music lovers as snobs and elites, they are just music lovers like everyone else..yes ?