I agree that many choirs, especially the folkier, community-type choirs, offer valuable vocal exercises and can help you make the best of your voice. Such choirs usually require steady, true singing with a minumum of vibrato, which fits well with folk singing.

But singing on your own is, for many people, quite different and often rather scary. If, as you say, you "don't like" your own voice, this will make you uneasy singing solo, which will come across to your audience and get in the way of communication.

A good singing teacher (such as the NV type of teacher) will help you with breathing and confidence, and overcoming nerves, as well as finding your best vocal range and extending it when necessary. Many of the technical skills that Jim Carroll lists as important can be taught or enhanced by a skilled tutor - not everyone can work it all out for themselves just by listening and imitating singers they admire.

The rest of the stuff that Jim alludes to (choice of song, finding a way of inhabiting and expressing the song, and conveying to others why it matters to you, etc) is hugely important too, and this part is mainly up to you. But you'll be better able to tackle all this once you have more vocal control, power and confidence. But it's not about putting on a different voice. You need someone to help you believe that own, natural voice is special and worth hearing.

Marje