I had the best of both worlds when I was a kid. I'd spend a quiet week with my mum then I'd go to my dad's property in the Adelaide Hills where there were all these kids and animals running around.
Oh stuff the critics. I don't care. Too many people are snooty about classical. Look I wasn't brought up in a home where we listened to classical music. It was a singing teacher that thought it would be best for my voice. Then I moved into crossover. And if that makes the music accessible to more people then great.