The Balanchine Trust and the Robbins people know that if they give us a piece we're going to do better than our best.

And that's one reason the Balanchine Trust has granted the rights to the Miami dancers.

So Mr. Cunningham consulted with Barbara Horgan, head of the Balanchine Trust, "about what not to do."

"I had a sense that Merrill and the Balanchine Trust would agree," she says.

The Balanchine Trust protects the choreographer's copyrights.

In handling a choreographer's legacy, the Balanchine Trust is often considered the gold standard.

There is also a solid relationship with the Balanchine Trust, which has granted the company rights to many of its ballets.

Modeled after the Balanchine Trust, it will license the rights of Graham works to other dance companies.

Like the Balanchine Trust, the Graham Trust can withdraw a work if it is not performed according to agreed-upon standards.

He is currently a ballet master for the Balanchine Trust, which licenses and oversees productions of Balanchine ballets.