Can't comment on the specific instances you mention Peter, as to whether they are condescending or not, I'd have to see them in context.

There's two slightly different contexts here. One is: someone from one country learning a style of music from another completely unrelated country, one they don't live in, have no connection to, and which they may never have visited. (If I, for instance, were to take up the Japanese koto and start learning that repertoire)

The other is: people from an ethnic group in a country (perhaps 2nd/3rd/4th gen immigrant) learning a style of music associated with the dominant culture in that country. Such as a black British kid learning English folk songs. (Slightly complicated, I'll grant you, by the fact that English folk music itself can hardly be considered 'dominant' within today's culture!)

I think it's brilliant that there are finally two or three black and Asian performers on the english traditional folk scene. It's a shame it's still only 2 or 3. And there's nothing patronising or condescending in welcoming that.

In the latter context it's not a question of 'isn't it great that they are learning our music' it is a question of 'isn't it great that they are learning their music'. What that means is that, ever so slowly, the UK's racial barriers are breaking down.