Americas Best Dance Crew Poreotix
It all started with a text.
On December 18, 2007 Dumbo sent a text to Can, asking him if he wanted to start a crew. The positive response from Can triggered a force that couldn’t be stopped, Poreotics. The name, which also came via text message, consisted of three styles of hip-hop: popping, choreography and robotics. Charles met Can at church, and soon after the trio began having sessions in Can’s backyard in Garden Grove, California. It didn’t take long for the guys to start making routines and just a few weeks later, their first show, a street performance for Chinese New Year. After performing various small shows and church performances, the guys decided to perform at the Vent Dance Awards in 2008, where they surprised others with their unique style and received a standing ovation.
After seeing videos of Poreotics on YouTube, producers from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew contacted the guys to audition for Season 3 in the Fall of 2008. At that point, Poreotics had grown to add two other members, Jet Li and Law, for the auditions. Although they didn’t make the cut for Season 3, Poreotics decided to stay as a five-man crew and continue doing performances and competitions. In the Spring of 2009 the crew auditioned once again for ABDC, but unfortunately, weren’t asked to participate in the show. A few short months later the crew performed and competed at the 2009 Hip Hop International in Las Vegas. Though Jet Li was unable to perform with the crew, the guys brought on Chad to replace him for the performance. Successfully Poreotics won first place in the United States and sixth in the world that weekend.
Their great accomplishment at Hip Hop International prompted the crew to keep Chad as the sixth member of Poreotics. The crew improved both their dancing skills and interviewing skills while becoming closer as friends, and later that year auditioned for ABDC, Season 5. After getting the call that they had finally made the show, the guys were thrilled. During the show, Poreotics practiced 5-6 hours daily, but still managed to have fun during rehearsals. They attribute their light-hearted demeanor and goofy ways to their success, noting the importance of having fun doing what you love
On December 18, 2007 Dumbo sent a text to Can, asking him if he wanted to start a crew. The positive response from Can triggered a force that couldn’t be stopped, Poreotics. The name, which also came via text message, consisted of three styles of hip-hop: popping, choreography and robotics. Charles met Can at church, and soon after the trio began having sessions in Can’s backyard in Garden Grove, California. It didn’t take long for the guys to start making routines and just a few weeks later, their first show, a street performance for Chinese New Year. After performing various small shows and church performances, the guys decided to perform at the Vent Dance Awards in 2008, where they surprised others with their unique style and received a standing ovation.
After seeing videos of Poreotics on YouTube, producers from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew contacted the guys to audition for Season 3 in the Fall of 2008. At that point, Poreotics had grown to add two other members, Jet Li and Law, for the auditions. Although they didn’t make the cut for Season 3, Poreotics decided to stay as a five-man crew and continue doing performances and competitions. In the Spring of 2009 the crew auditioned once again for ABDC, but unfortunately, weren’t asked to participate in the show. A few short months later the crew performed and competed at the 2009 Hip Hop International in Las Vegas. Though Jet Li was unable to perform with the crew, the guys brought on Chad to replace him for the performance. Successfully Poreotics won first place in the United States and sixth in the world that weekend.
Their great accomplishment at Hip Hop International prompted the crew to keep Chad as the sixth member of Poreotics. The crew improved both their dancing skills and interviewing skills while becoming closer as friends, and later that year auditioned for ABDC, Season 5. After getting the call that they had finally made the show, the guys were thrilled. During the show, Poreotics practiced 5-6 hours daily, but still managed to have fun during rehearsals. They attribute their light-hearted demeanor and goofy ways to their success, noting the importance of having fun doing what you love
Members
Matt "Dumbo" Nguyen
Matthew “Dumbo” Nguyen, founding member of Poreotics, was born March 25, 1989. He attended Rancho Alamitos High School, where he graduated in 2008. At the age of 16, ironically after watching the street-dancing flick, You Got Served, his inspiration to dance began.
After observing different styles of hip-hop, Dumbo found he wanted to create his own style, something that he’d never seen before. Though his favorites styles included popping, freestyling and choreography, he had never seen these styles put together, so he came up with a “funk style in choreography with a robotic feel,” which soon became the stamp of Poreotics. While in high school, Dumbo enjoyed experimenting with hair, which led him to apply at Paul Mitchell School in Costa Mesa, where he is still currently attending.
His trademark nickname comes from his awkward talent of moving his ears back and forth, rather impressively, without hesitation. In his spare time, Dumbo enjoys playing volleyball, fishing, and working on his car.
After observing different styles of hip-hop, Dumbo found he wanted to create his own style, something that he’d never seen before. Though his favorites styles included popping, freestyling and choreography, he had never seen these styles put together, so he came up with a “funk style in choreography with a robotic feel,” which soon became the stamp of Poreotics. While in high school, Dumbo enjoyed experimenting with hair, which led him to apply at Paul Mitchell School in Costa Mesa, where he is still currently attending.
His trademark nickname comes from his awkward talent of moving his ears back and forth, rather impressively, without hesitation. In his spare time, Dumbo enjoys playing volleyball, fishing, and working on his car.
Can Trong Nguyen
Can Nguyen was born on October 8, 1990 in Garden Grove, CA. From moving to Gardena, CA at a young age, Can returned back to Garden Grove to attended Garden Grove High School and was a graduate of the class of 2008. He was a member of the high school marching band and played trumpet for all four years of high school. During band class his freshman year, he joined the high school Hip Hop Club, and in addition to learning all about the hip hop culture, he learned how to break dance.
After joining, Can became an avid dancer, and although he never had any formal training, he learned everything from having sessions with other dancers in his backyard. He danced with PAC Modern and Animasion, but it wasn’t until December 18, 2007 when Poreotics was born. In addition to dancing with Poreotics, Can also does all the graphics work for the crew including all the t-shirt designs and logos. In his free time, Can likes to produce and mix music, as well as work on his passion for art and drawing
After joining, Can became an avid dancer, and although he never had any formal training, he learned everything from having sessions with other dancers in his backyard. He danced with PAC Modern and Animasion, but it wasn’t until December 18, 2007 when Poreotics was born. In addition to dancing with Poreotics, Can also does all the graphics work for the crew including all the t-shirt designs and logos. In his free time, Can likes to produce and mix music, as well as work on his passion for art and drawing
Charles Nguyen
Charles Viet Nguyen was born on October 16, 1989 in Long Beach, CA. He attended Bolsa Grande High School in Westminster, CA where he graduated in 2007. Charles began doing high school dance performances his sophomore and junior year for fun, but fell in love with hip hop as a result. At 15 years old, he met Can from church, who introduced him to popping and was later asked to be one of the original three members of Poreotics. Charles practiced his popping, and later began taking classes when he joined PAC Modern in the fall of 2008.
He says his most memorable moment while on ABDC season 5 was winning: “I really thought we weren’t going to win, so I was enjoying my last minutes on stage.” When not dancing, Charles enjoys playing volleyball, eating, and watching his favorite TV show, Family Guy. He is currently enrolled at Golden West College and his major is Education, where he hopes to one day become a middle school or high school teacher. His motivation for dancing comes from this saying, “Dance with your heart, dance how you feel, that’s how you know the dancer is real.”
He says his most memorable moment while on ABDC season 5 was winning: “I really thought we weren’t going to win, so I was enjoying my last minutes on stage.” When not dancing, Charles enjoys playing volleyball, eating, and watching his favorite TV show, Family Guy. He is currently enrolled at Golden West College and his major is Education, where he hopes to one day become a middle school or high school teacher. His motivation for dancing comes from this saying, “Dance with your heart, dance how you feel, that’s how you know the dancer is real.”
Lawrence "Law" Devera
Lawrence “Law” Bravo Devera was born on August 29, 1988 in Los Angeles, CA. He attended Eagle Rock Junior Senior High School where he graduated in 2006. Being very family-oriented, Law started off dancing at family parties at the age of 13 with his older cousins who break danced. By the age of 15, he got scene and began b-boying. While in high school, Law also played basketball and volleyball for two years and in 2006, he got into choreography, began taking classes and joined Future Shock LA.
Between the year of 2006-2007, he was able to manage five crews. Law joined Poreotics in the fall of 2008 for the season 3 ABDC auditions. During ABDC season 5, he enjoyed “magic week” and also getting to dance backwards. Currently enrolled at Pasadena City College, Law is a radiology major and planning to become an X-Ray technician. “Whatever you do, believe in yourself and stay true to yourself.”
Between the year of 2006-2007, he was able to manage five crews. Law joined Poreotics in the fall of 2008 for the season 3 ABDC auditions. During ABDC season 5, he enjoyed “magic week” and also getting to dance backwards. Currently enrolled at Pasadena City College, Law is a radiology major and planning to become an X-Ray technician. “Whatever you do, believe in yourself and stay true to yourself.”
Justin "Jet Li" Valles
Justin “Jet Li” Valles was born on February 7, 1987 in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Matawan, New Jersey. He began break dancing at the ripe age of 7 years old. He returned to Los Angeles and attended Ribet Academy where he graduated in 2005. During high school, Justin joined his first crew, Tang Clang, at the age of 16 which he was trained under OG popper and mentor, Jekle. In 2007, he joined Culture Shock LA, then later joining the popping crew, Funny Bones.
Though he never had any formal training in choreography, Justin continuously challenged himself and began dancing with Poreotics in the fall of 2008. After getting to know the members and winning ABDC season 5, Justin admits he wouldn’t have wanted to work with anyone else. Justin got his nickname for the cunning resemblance he shares with Jet Li, and he decided to keep the name because he feels it’s more memorable. Currently, Jet Li maintains an Artistic Director position with Culture Shock LA.
Though he never had any formal training in choreography, Justin continuously challenged himself and began dancing with Poreotics in the fall of 2008. After getting to know the members and winning ABDC season 5, Justin admits he wouldn’t have wanted to work with anyone else. Justin got his nickname for the cunning resemblance he shares with Jet Li, and he decided to keep the name because he feels it’s more memorable. Currently, Jet Li maintains an Artistic Director position with Culture Shock LA.
Andrew-Chad Mayate
Andrew-Chad Fausto Mayate, more commonly known as “Chad,” was born on October 30, 1989. He attended South Torrance High School where he graduated in 2007. He is a self-proclaimed jock, and in high school, picked basketball over dancing. In 2008, Chad attended a PAC Modern workshop, and with no intention to audition, he ended up making the team due to his impeccable ability to freestyle.
Chad then joined Poreotics for their performance at Hip Hop International in 2009, initially as a substitute for Justin “Jet Li” Valles, but after the crew won first place at the USA Hip Hop International Championships, they decided a sixth member would complete the crew. His favorite part of being on ABDC season 5 was getting to know the other crews. Chad currently attends El Camino College where he is studying to be a clinical lab scientist. He reminds everyone to “stay hungry.”
Chad then joined Poreotics for their performance at Hip Hop International in 2009, initially as a substitute for Justin “Jet Li” Valles, but after the crew won first place at the USA Hip Hop International Championships, they decided a sixth member would complete the crew. His favorite part of being on ABDC season 5 was getting to know the other crews. Chad currently attends El Camino College where he is studying to be a clinical lab scientist. He reminds everyone to “stay hungry.”
