Dr. Pugh heads the instrumental music program at Shelton State Community College. He directs the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo, as well as teaching private applied brass lessons. Pugh also currently serves as the Orchestra Director at First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa.

Sought after as a pedagogue, Dr. Pugh regularly presents masterclasses and clinics at schools throughout the southeastern United States. Equally adept as a performer, he regularly performs with the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Tuscaloosa, The Tuscaloosa Big Band where he plays lead trumpet and serves as Music Director, and the Tuskaloosa Brass Quintet of which he is a founding member.

Along with his research in brass pedagogy, his interests include performing chamber music and commissioning new works for trumpet and chamber ensembles.