Byrnes was born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany while his father was stationed at the U.S. Army Base there, and relocated to New Jersey in the United States.
Later that same year his work "Red Moon" was premiered in California after receiving the Northridge Prize for orchestral composition.
He has studied composition with Sven-David Sandström, Chen Yi, Don Freund, David Dzubay, and Larry Bell.
In addition to awards from the American Music Center, National Association of Composers, ASCAP, USA International Harp Composition Competition, California State University, Northridge, Indiana University, Boston Conservatory and others, Byrnes has received fellowships from the artist retreat organizations Yaddo and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.
Viola & Piano Commissioned by and dedicated to Maggie Snyder through the generosity of the University of Georgia's Willson Center Grant for the Humanities Flute (optional piccolo) & Piano Commissioned by the Cleveland Chamber Collective and written for Mary Kay Fink and Nicholas Underhill Harp solo, 5 movements Orchestra: 2-1-2-1; 2-2-2-1; timp, perc (1); solo harp; strings A Fantastical Character Suite for Viola & Harpsichord Commissioned by Maggie Snyder and Alexandra Snyder Dunbar through the generosity of the West Virginia University Foundation Orchestra: 2-2-2-2; 2-2-0-0; timp.