Just yesterday I picked up a nice compilation CD of Celtic songs sung by female singers, from Shanachie Records. Some are in Gaelic, most in English. It might be a good starting point for branching out into other areas. It would also give you an overview of singers, and you could choose ones whose work you'd like to investigate further. (I'm sending message this from work, and the CD is at home, and I'm afraid I don't actually remember the title.)

When I say "Celtic", I don't mean "Gaelic", but that much-abused term "Celtic" which includes Irish and Scottish traditional songs, plus modern songs and songs from other traditions (especially English and American) which have been adopted by people who like the Irish and Scottish songs.

At the risk of throwing a dash of cold water on the discussion, I'm afraid there are lots of bandwagon-jumpers out there (especially in North America) who think of themselves as "Celtic" singers who in fact have never heard traditional Celtic music and wouldn't like it if they heard it. I hope the women who intitiated this discussion don't fall into that category. But the fact that they're not familiar with so many of the very well-known songs that have been suggested gives an impression that they're pretty new to the genre. I say, hang onto your enthusiasm, but keep aware of where you're coming from.

And I say, yes, sing what you like, and sing it the way you like, but don't represent yourselves as "Celtic" singers unless you're really stuck into that tradition. Meanwhile, listen to lots of the music to see what it's like on its home ground -- maybe you'll become "Celtic" singers after all.

If I'm wrong about you, forgive me; but I think these comments still apply to the generality.