Caitlin Sanchez

Caitlin Sanchez (born January 17, 1996) is an American actress, best known for the voice of the title character Dora in the Nickelodeon (TV channel) animated series for children Dora the Explorer. In 2008, Caitlin Sanchez took over the voice role of the seven-year-old lead character in Dora the Explorer. She was selected from among 600 girls who auditioned for the part. Interviewed on National Public Radio`s All Things Considered, Caitlin told host Robert Siegel that the show first aired when she was four-years old and that she had grown up watching the program. She recounted having a Dora-themed bedroom, curtains and backpack when she was younger.

Caitlin was born in Englewood, New Jersey and is a resident of Fairview, in Bergen County, New Jersey to Cuban American parents. As of 2008[update], Caitlin was being home schooled. She is a jazz fan who has played the piano since she was five and enjoys listening to the music of John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk and vocalists Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. When NPR`s Siegel indicated that it was unusual for someone her age to be a fan of Thelonious Monk, Caitlin responded that "He has this really unique style. He kind of hits the piano really hard. And I love his offbeats. Sometimes he goes on-beat; sometimes he goes off. He`s full of surprises." She also enjoys playing soccer and tennis.

Caitlin appeared on Lipstick Jungle where she played the role of Celia, the daughter of the character played by Carlos Ponce. Caitlin was one of six finalists in the Junior Instrumentalists (ages 8 to 12) category at the New Jersey Network`s 2007 Hispanic Youth Showcase. Caitlin performed the National Anthem for a NJ Nets game on November 21st, 2009.