What do you say about a person who is a higher rank than a hobbyist?

Solution 1:

connoisseur

a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste:

a connoisseur of modern art.

a discerning judge of the best in any field:

a connoisseur of horses.

aficionado

an ardent devotee; fan, enthusiast.

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