I've been involved and friends with folk musicians for over 20 years now. I enjoy Irish music much more than classical. Irish music is based on oral tradition, passing on the tunes by ear from person to person, family to family, over the centuries it becomes a common thread that runs from the past to the present with the tune evolving with variations and occasionally people writing down their versions. Also the music often is based on dance music and reflects the dance steps and rhythms. Classical music is more formal, learned by reading the music often written down by composers who like the music to played a very specific way every time.
Classical music has many forms, symphonies, small ensembles.
Someone asked who teaches in the area and I recommend Karen Ashbrook in the Washington D.C. area or Jody Marshall in the Virginia Area and I teach workshops 2 times a year. As far as nature- I often think of water images when I perform and my CD cover art has images of water incorporated. Sansone is Italian from my father Len Sansone. Would love to see you in person. I'm not a hard core traditionalist.