I have had good luck with Jagwire and Shimano cables; most brands are OK, just be sure to get lined housings and die-drawn stainless inner wires. The Bell cable sets from XMart are of low-ish quality but will work in a pinch or if you are short on $$. On the high end you can spend as much as you want, but the performance increase, if any, is not commensurate with the cost, IMO.

Just be sure to use ONLY brake cable and housing for brakes, NEVER shifter housing, it could fail under the forces of braking, which it is not designed to withstand. Brake cable housing on derailleurs won't work well but is not a safety issue.

Your idea of going to get some hands-on training is an excellent one.