Forty women attended an enrollment ceremony Tuesday to mark the beginning of their time at Japan's famous all-female Takarazuka Music School near Kobe.

"I'm filled with pleasure and gratitude," Norika Arai said at the ceremony to celebrate their entry to the school. Arai spoke as a representative of the 40 students who managed to gain acceptance from more than 1,000 applicants, according to the school.

The young women will study singing and dancing for two years in hopes of joining the Takarazuka Revue troupe.