Sounds to me like you ran into a bit of a folk music snob, don't you think? We have them here in Albuquerque, too, you betcha. I think the best thing to do is to nod and smile and avoid them. And pity them, and leave the room before you submit to the temptation to do them injury. And sing what you love as well as you can. Are you getting paid money for your singing? That might make a difference.

I sing Scots Gaelic with several other women here in Albuquerque. All of us sing because we love the music, and the camaraderie isn't bad, either. We had a run-in at a Celtic festival with the woman in town who sporadically teaches Gaelic, and for the sake of the peace we now call ourselves "Celtic singers" instead of "Gaelic Singers. (And smile and nod and avoid her, as well!)

My husband says I should mention that I also sing in Hebrew, French, Spanish and several Slavic languages, and I probably murder them all. When a younger, better singer, I did try to sing in styles appropriate to the music. (Now I'm happy to sing close to the tune!) My greatest fear is mispronouncing a word that is close to some word that is not polite! You choose where to sing, of course, like not out-dancing the family at a Greek wedding where you are a friend of a friend, but with good will and consideration, sing what you love, and most people who own that music will love you for it.