Work–life balance has become a buzzword in many corporate settings. This study situates itself at a higher education institute in Melbourne (Australia) where African music (singing and drumming) was used as a lever for faculty staff to “break from work” and “learn about a new music and culture”. Drawing on email communication, questionnaire data, and anecdotal feedback, a phenomenological approach was adopted to explore the benefits, challenges, and opportunities staff experienced as a recreational group music activity. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis as a tool. Two overarching themes emerged (group participation and learning, and challenges) and are discussed in the findings. The workshops proved successful and are worthy to be replicated in other places and spaces. Further research is needed to gain insight into whether regular music workshops can influence work–life balance and professional learning for staff.

在许多公司环境中，工作与生活之间的平衡已成为流行语。这项研究位于澳大利亚墨尔本的一所高等教育机构中，那里的非洲音乐（唱歌和击鼓）被用作教职员工“下班休息”和“学习新的音乐和文化”的手段。利用电子邮件通讯，调查表数据和轶事反馈，采用现象学方法来探索员工作为娱乐团体音乐活动所经历的收益，挑战和机遇。使用解释性现象学分析作为工具对数据进行了分析。出现了两个总体主题（小组参与和学习以及挑战），并在调查结果中进行了讨论。研讨会证明是成功的，值得在其他地方和场所进行复制。