Desc: Balanchine Essays: The Barre - Part 1: With Merrill Ashley, Suki Schorer. Toward the latter part of his life, George Balanchine talked about creating a "dictionary" of his technique, a visual reference for the students of ballet. The George Balanchine Foundation has helped to fulfill his wish by producing 'The Balanchine Essays. The George Balanchine Foundation is a not-for-profit organization. All proceeds from the sale of these DVD's are used for Foundation projects.