Ellen Dickinson has been leading handbell choirs since 1988. In 2006 she founded the Jubilate Handbell Choir, which draws most of its members from the handbell choirs of Norfield Congregational Church and nearby Unitarian Church in Westport.

Ellen also conducts the Memorial Handbell Choir at Norfield Church and the handbell ensemble of the Yale Guild of Carillonneurs. 

In the past she has directed a number of handbell and handchime choirs, at varying levels and age ranges, including those at Tabor Lutheran Church in Branford, Connecticut; Simsbury United Methodist Church in Simsbury, Connecticut; and the handchime choir at St. John's United Church of Christ in Smithton, Illinois.