Photos: Voices of the homeless

A choir made up of singers from skid row waits to take the stage at a gala at the City Club in Los Angeles.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Leeav Sofer, left, instructor with the Colburn School, shows members of the homeless choir a stretching technique.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Choir member Samone Napier makes wardrobe choices for the performance.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Leeav Sofer, left, celebrates with his choir co-director, Linda Evans, after a successful rehearsal.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Choir co-director Leeav Sofer, right, works with performers, from left, Christopher Mack, Luke Harris, Tyson Stephens and Douglas Leigh-Taylor.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Linda Evans, center, works with the choir at a rehearsal.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Performers Luke Harris, left, and Douglas Leigh-Taylor focus on lyrics during a rehearsal.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Samone Napier, left, sings with Barbara Pierce, who holds a cellphone that blares a song they are rehearsing as they wait for a bus to attend practice.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Leeav Sofer, right, is hugged by performer Christopher Mack at the end of a successful rehearsal.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Performer Douglas Leigh-Taylor lights a cigarette for the short walk home after rehearsal.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Linda Evans leads the choir during a gala at the City Club in Los Angeles.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Singer Linda Evans smokes an electronic cigarette to calm her nerves before performing with the group.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Samone Napier, standing before Douglas Leigh-Taylor, tears up as they wait to perform during the gala at the City Club.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

With the city lights sparkling below, singer Linda Evans is reflected in a window as she waits to perform with the group.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)