Dynamic Duet
A superb music instruction program at the Fredericksburg, Virginia Corps attracted a brother/sister duo to become ardent Salvationists— first Julio Archila, and three years later, his sister, Jasmine.
“I was eight years old when we heard about music classes that were offered at The Salvation Army,” Julio shares. “My dad wanted me to learn guitar, and so I was allowed to come to the corps.”
But as the age of eight is the minimum for students, his kid sister, Jasmine, who was only five at the time, had to wait.
“Mom let Julio come to ‘test the waters’ to find out what these Salvationists are all about before she let me go,” laughs Jasmine.
But it wasn’t long before this brother and sister fully bought into the mission and ministry of the Army. During the dozen years or so they have attended, Jasmine became a junior soldier, and both Archilas were enrolled as senior soldiers when each reached the age of fourteen.
“There was a time early on when I was attending two churches,” Julio says, “the Seventh- day Adventist Church on Saturdays where our mom was attending, and The Salvation Army on Sundays.”
But when Jasmine started attending the Army, they both settled in there.
Of course, the Army’s School of Music was a big draw for them, but there were more things at the Fredericksburg Corps that felt like home.
“I love the family atmosphere here,” Julio says. “Everyone was so welcoming and accepting of us both from the start.”
“The Army’s intentional ministry is what appeals to me,” Jasmine shares. “I love that there are so many ways to serve people.”
Through their years attending the School of Music, Jasmine and Julio have become proficient in their musical skills. While percussion is by far Julio’s preferred instrument, he also plays cornet, guitar, and piano. Jasmine is excellent at baritone. Both Archilas are members of the National Capital Band and the Potomac Youth Band.
They attend the Potomac Division’s music camps and conservatories each summer (where Julio has worked as a staff instructor) and enrich their skills at the Territorial Music Institute. Julio even marched twice in the Rose Bowl Parade, representing his division and the Southern Territory on a national stage.
Back home, Jasmine teaches the primary Sunday School class, and Julio is an instructor each Tuesday night at the School of Music, where this all started.
“The School of Music operates two semesters which correspond with the school system’s calendar. At the end of each semester, we hold a recital where family and friends attend the concert to hear everything the students have learned,” Jasmine explains.
“Before we became soldiers here, the church we were attending was Hispanic, and my Spanish is not very good,” she confesses. “So, when I heard all these Bible stories as a kid, I really didn’t understand what was being said—that is until someone came along and translated into English all these miracles Jesus did. I thought that was so cool, and I soon gave my heart to Jesus!”
“For me,” Julio contrasts, “my conversion was a very gradual process.”
That difference makes sense, since to look at these two, for all their similarities their personalities say otherwise: Julio is quiet and contemplative; Jasmine is outgoing and is rarely seen without a broad smile.
Their plans for the future differ as well. Julio is currently working on earning his Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering at Germanna Community College, while Jasmine plans to major in music education at George Mason University.
Julio recently finished writing his first composition and it was played for the first time by the divisional youth band at Youth Councils.
Their (then) corps officer, Captain Kelsey Bridges cannot say enough about this dynamic duet: “Julio and Jasmine have both excelled beautifully and are two success stories coming from our School of Music. Their stories are a beacon of hope across the Potomac Division and have been inspiring young people all over our region.”
