Brushing up their Balanchine

I spent a recent rainy afternoon

watching the Los Angeles Ballet

rehearse “Balanchine -- See the

Music, Hear the Dance.”

It was a privilege to observe these

artists up close in their rehearsal studio in West L.A. I could feel the energy in the room the minute I arrived.

The program, led by artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, will be performed at various locations through March 6. www.losangelesballet.org

-- Paul Rogers