About Us
The Journey of a Party Maestro
Most teenagers in 1989 were figuring out what they wanted to be when they grew up. I was already becoming it—one vinyl record at a time. Hi, My name is Matt Saltzer and this is my story…
It began at a roller skating rink outside New Cumberland, PA. I wasn’t just there to skate; I was there because something about the music, the lights, and the energy of people having fun just pulled me in. At 15, I had a revelation: Why not work here and skate for free?
I started in skate rental, moved to floor guard, and when the DJ position opened up, I jumped at it. Suddenly, I was the one controlling the vibe—spinning 45s and 12″ records on actual turntables. This was my first taste of what would become a lifelong passion.
Building Something from Nothing
As the only one buying music for the rink, I’d venture to record stores across Pennsylvania and even New York City, hunting down vinyl as CDs started taking over the mall music stores. I borrowed money from my older sister and on one of those NYC trips, I bought my first set of speakers. I pieced together the rest of an audio system with used turntables, an amplifier, and a wooden enclosure I wrapped in fuzzy black carpet as a road case. It wasn’t pretty, but it was mine.
I needed a name. After scribbling down every music-related word I could think of, two jumped out at me: Rhythm System. I had no business license, no legal structure, no clue what I was doing—just passion and a name that felt right.
Learning by Doing (and Failing)
I played parties here and there, but I wanted more. So I taught myself marketing (kind of) —business cards, flyers, mailers. I kept buying equipment, especially lighting, because I believed even then that great events engage both your ears and your eyes.
But then came 1991. My hair stylist asked me to DJ her wedding. I’d never even attended a wedding before. I showed up to our planning meeting with a blank yellow legal pad and asked, “What do you want me to do?” I learned on the fly, packed my truck, hung my custom window sign, and delivered an event I’m still proud of.
I got even more ambitious. Maybe too ambitious. I rented a local fire hall every Friday night for three months, attempting to run a “dance club” for the 17+ crowd. I spent a fortune on radio ads. It flopped spectacularly.
The Evolution Never Stops
Over the years, my equipment evolved from turntables to CD players to professional mixers to MP3 systems. I resisted computers for the longest time, due to hearing many horror stories of DJs having mishaps with laptops freezing mid-event. But after helping a fellow DJ with his gigs (and realizing he was secretly filming me because he thought I mixed better than he did), I decided it was time to make a move by designing by next DJ system.
And I didn’t just want any system. I wanted something nobody had ever seen.
I contacted a magician friend and asked how to make a giant touchscreen appear to hover in mid-air. He gave me concept drawings. I took them to a machine shop. They built a collapsible stand that made my digital touchscreen DJ system look like magic. People still stop mid-event just to ask, “Where did you get that?”
Taking Risks That Pay Off
Rewinding a little bit, back to 2010 when I had decided that I wanted something truly unique: an interactive video dance floor. No one else had one. So I wired a massive amount of money to a factory in China, crossed my fingers, and waited three months. When it finally arrived at the Port of Baltimore, I could barely fit it in my vehicle.
When I unpacked it in my garage, I found chipped glass, faulty connectors, and European power cords that wouldn’t even plug in here in the US. But I’m nothing if not resourceful. I modified, I adapted, I made it work. And it became one of the coolest party enhancements I’ve ever offered.
A New Chapter in Florida
When COVID hit in 2020, my wife and I made a bold decision: leave Pennsylvania and head south. After researching countless cities and visiting St. Pete and Orlando, we landed east of Tampa, concluding a three-month journey in an RV. For the next year, I travelled back to PA eight times to honor commitments I’d made before the move.
But the biggest game-changer wasn’t just the location—it was having a true partner in the business. My wife, Irina, doesn’t just support what I do; she makes the magic possible. For events involving multiple services—the interactive dance floor, Ultimate 360 booth, full room lighting, custom effects—she’s essential. What used to be logistically impossible for one person became achievable as a team. Those immersive experiences our ideal clients love… They only happen because we work in perfect sync, transforming venues together.
Now, Rhythm System has expanded beyond what I imagined. We’ve added a second dance floor, more lighting, special effects, and our Ultimate 360 video booth. I’ve even invented custom entryway pillars that hardly anyone knows exist—yet.
I’ve refined my focus too. No more DJing at birthday parties for 5-year-olds. My MC and DJ entertainment is now only offered for events where the primary age group is 15+, though our dance floors and ALL of our other services work beautifully for any age (yes, even a 1-year-old’s birthday party where the parents were the real guests of honor).
What's Next?
Our garage is bursting at the seams. Equipment everywhere. No room for a car. Some gear isn’t earning its keep anymore, and I know it’s time to streamline. Why? Because something even better is on the way—something that will upstage even my beloved hovering touchscreen system.
After 35+ years in this business, one thing hasn’t changed: I love making people happy. I love the awe, the energy, the moment when a dance floor comes alive or a couple sees their reception transform into something unforgettable.
This isn’t just a job. It’s who I am.
Let’s create something amazing together.
-Matt Saltzer
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