Patricia Ripley

Patricia was born in Newark, N. J., grew up on the Jersey Shore, and attended Monmouth College, (now Monmouth University), in West Long Branch N. J. She worked "down the Shore" as a bartender and nightclub manager in Asbury Park. She was instrumental in discovering Bruce Springsteen, and introduced him to, and worked for, his first manager and produced his first concert. She was one of the pioneers of the music scene in Asbury Park and the "Shore". She worked in the music business for 5 years. After moving to Manhattan, she changed careers to become a fitness instructor at the Lotte Berk Method Studios on the East side. She worked as an instructor and assistant manager there for 7 years.


In 1982, with a partner, she opened a studio on West 72nd Street on the West side of Manhattan called Creative Energy Studios; and taught fitness classes for 2 years. In 1984 she became the manager of the West Side Studios on West 72nd Street, and ran it from 1984 to 1987. She started her own fitness company in 1987 called Fitness Concepts for LIfe. That same year she and Butch took over the ownership of the West Side Studios and renamed it the West 72nd Street Studios. She and Butch acquired another location and changed the name of the company to New York Spaces, Inc., of which she is the president. In 1999 she and Butch adopted the lovely Jean-Michelle and at the same time built and opened the Ripley-Grier Studios. After 10 years of expansion at that location they are now the owners of the largest rehearsal space facility in the world. In June of 2003 she graduated from the Metropolitan Institute's one year Feng Shui program, and designed Ripley-Grier IV using those principles.


In the fall of 2003 she and Butch decided to expand to another field in the entertainment business and began Jean-Michelle Productions to produce a play which is now "The Deep Song" musical play. After two successful workshops the play is ready to progress to bigger venues. She continues to teach fitness classes and has for over 30 years. She is looking forward to a great 2010.