I have taken voice lessons from three different voice teachers over the years (one of whom was a retired operatic soprano), and none of them tried to push my voice higher. They did help me work on expanding my singing range, but that's a different thing.

I do not try to sound "folky," nor do I try to sound like an art singer. I just open my cake-hole and sing.

Seems to work pretty well. . . .

Don Firth